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PRP vs PRP+Betamethasone vs Betamethasone Injection for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain

NCT07547605 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: PHASE4 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 150

Last updated 2026-05-26

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Brief Summary

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by active trigger points (TrPs), which are hypersensitive, painful nodules within taut bands of skeletal muscle. The upper trapezius muscle is one of the most frequently affected sites. Trigger point injection (TPI) is a widely used minimally invasive treatment for patients who are refractory to conservative management.

Corticosteroids provide rapid anti-inflammatory effects, whereas platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has regenerative properties through growth factors that may support tissue healing. Despite their widespread use, the optimal injectate for TPI remains unclear. Additionally, the potential benefit of combining PRP with corticosteroids has not been adequately studied in upper trapezius MPS.

This study is a single-center, prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded controlled trial designed to compare the clinical effectiveness of three injection protocols: (1) PRP plus bupivacaine, (2) PRP plus betamethasone plus bupivacaine, and (3) betamethasone plus bupivacaine with saline (volume-matched control). A total of 150 patients with a single active trigger point in the upper trapezius will be included.

The primary outcome is pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (ROM), rescue analgesic use, recurrence rate, and adverse events at 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

All injections are performed by the same investigator using a palpation-guided technique, and outcome assessments are conducted by a blinded evaluator.

Conditions

  • Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome
  • Trigger Points, Myofascial
  • Trigger Point in Trapezius Muscle

Interventions

OTHER

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

2 mL autologous leukocyte-poor PRP prepared by double centrifugation, combined with 1 mL bupivacaine 0.5%. Single palpation-guided trigger point injection into upper trapezius. Total volume: 3 mL

DRUG

PRP plus Betamethasone

1 mL autologous LP-PRP + 1 mL Diprospan (betamethasone dipropionate 5 mg + betamethasone sodium phosphate 2 mg) + 1 mL bupivacaine 0.5%. Single palpation-guided trigger point injection. Total volume: 3 mL

DRUG

Betamethasone (Diprospan)

1 mL Diprospan (betamethasone dipropionate 5 mg + betamethasone sodium phosphate 2 mg) + 1 mL bupivacaine 0.5% + 1 mL normal saline (0.9% NaCl, volume equalization). Single palpation-guided trigger point injection. Total volume: 3 mL.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Kyrenia

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-31
Primary Completion
2026-12-31
Completion
2027-01-31

Countries

  • Cyprus

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07547605 on ClinicalTrials.gov