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Dry Needling vs Electrical Dry Needling for Myofascial Neck Pain

NCT07775144 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 34

Last updated 2026-08-20

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Neck pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) is common and is associated with pain, psychological distress, and kinesiophobia (fear of movement). This randomized clinical trial compared Dry Needling (DN) and Electrical Dry Needling (EDN), each delivered once weekly for six weeks, in adults with neck pain due to MTrPs. The study measured changes in pain intensity, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress), and kinesiophobia before and after treatment, to determine whether adding electrical stimulation to dry needling provides additional benefit over dry needling alone.

Conditions

  • Neck Pain
  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck
  • Trigger Point Pain

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Dry Needling

Stainless-steel acupuncture needles inserted via guide tubes using the Hong technique (rapid insertion/withdrawal in multiple directions) to elicit up to 5 local twitch responses at the active myofascial trigger point, followed by ischemic (Travell and Simons) compression until pain decreased, repeated over several cycles for a total of 2 minutes. One session weekly for 6 weeks.

PROCEDURE

Electrical Dry Needling

Needle inserted (after cleaning with sterile alcohol) into the diagnosed active or latent myofascial trigger point/taut band, manipulated bidirectionally to elicit pain/tingling/pressure/heaviness/warmth, then connected to a low-frequency (2 Hz) continuous biphasic electrical current at a mild-to-moderate intensity, left in place for 30 minutes. One session weekly for 6 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Faisalabad

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Dr Muhammad Ateeb, PhD Public Health · The University Of Faisalabad

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

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

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-04-24
Primary Completion
2026-07-07
Completion
2026-08-08

Countries

  • Pakistan

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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 NCT07775144 on ClinicalTrials.gov