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Comparing Deep and Superficial Dry Needling for Neck Pain: An Ultrasound and EMG Study

NCT07637552 · Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 44

Last updated 2026-06-09

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of deep versus superficial dry needling (DN) on the ultrasound and electromyographic (EMG) characteristics of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the upper trapezius muscle of patients with neck pain.

Researchers aim to determine which dry needling technique produces greater improvements in muscle properties (ultrasound and EMG findings), pain intensity, and functional disability.

Intervention:

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either deep DN or superficial DN. Each participant will undergo four treatment sessions over a two-week period.

Assessments:

Outcomes will be measured at three time points:

* Baseline (before treatment)
* Post-treatment (end of week 2)
* Follow-up (4 weeks after treatment)

Conditions

  • Neck Pain
  • Neck Pain Musculoskeletal

Interventions

OTHER

Deep Dry Needling and Superficial Dry Needling

* Deep Dry needling is performed by a trained physiotherapist using a sterile solid filiform needle inserted deeply into the muscle tissue to directly reach the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) within the upper trapezius. The needle is advanced until a local twitch response is elicited, aiming to disrupt dysfunctional motor endplate activity, improve local circulation, and reduce pain and muscle tension. Participants will receive four treatment sessions over two weeks. * Superficial dry needling is performed by a trained physiotherapist using a sterile solid filiform needle inserted superficially into the skin overlying the identified MTrP in the upper trapezius, without penetrating the muscle or eliciting a local twitch response. The technique aims to modulate pain through stimulation of cutaneous Aδ fibers and spinal inhibitory pathways. Participants will receive four treatment sessions over two weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Qatif Central Hospital

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Ali M Alshami, PhD · Professor, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

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
2025-10-01
Primary Completion
2026-10-01
Completion
2026-10-01

Countries

  • Saudi Arabia

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 NCT07637552 on ClinicalTrials.gov