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Dry Needling vs. Cupping Therapy in MPS

NCT07688317 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 92

Last updated 2026-07-10

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of dry needling and cupping therapy in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome involving the trapezius, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and levator scapulae muscles. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS), the number of trigger points, the Likert satisfaction scale, and the multidimensional quality of life scale.

Conditions

  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Cupping therapy

In the tenth session, wet cupping was performed directly over the patients' TNs. In addition to the TNs, wet cupping was also applied at the Dazhui DU-14 point in all patients. Before initiating the procedure, the treatment area was disinfected with alcohol. Sterile single-use cups numbered 5 and 6 were applied to the treatment area. After 3 to 5 minutes, the cups were removed one at a time. After the area was cleaned, a No. 15 scalpel blade was used to make shallow vertical cuts at the cupping site. Afterward, the cups were returned to the same places. The procedure was performed three times without making any new cuts. The blood was drained, and the cups were put back on. The entire procedure lasted approximately 20 min. The cups were removed at the end of the procedure, and the area that had been treated was cleaned and covered properly.

PROCEDURE

Dry needling

Needling was performed while the TNs in the levator scapulae, supraspinatus, and upper part of the trapezius muscles were sitting. Patients were placed in the prone position for the middle and lower parts of the trapezius and infraspinatus muscles. To increase the accuracy of localization and minimize the risk of injury to nearby structures, needling was performed under ultrasound guidance. We used the Esaote MyLab 60 ultrasound machine that we have in our clinic for this. Standard single-use sterile acupuncture needles (0.25 mm × 25 mm) were used.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Atatürk University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

    collaborator UNKNOWN

  • Turkish League Against Rheumatism

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Fatih Baygutalp, Medical doctor · Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ataturk University Faculty of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
20 Years
Max Age
60 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-03-15
Primary Completion
2024-06-30
Completion
2025-08-29

Countries

  • Turkey (Türkiye)

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 NCT07688317 on ClinicalTrials.gov