Adding a greater occipital nerve block to trigger point injections for upper trapezius neck pain.

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, single-blind controlled trial at Ankara Etlik City Hospital compares standard trigger point injections alone versus trigger point injections plus an ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve (GON) block in adults with chronic upper trapezius trigger-point neck pain. Eligible participants are 18–65 years old, meet Travell and Simons criteria for myofascial pain syndrome with active upper trapezius trigger points, have pain for more than 3 months, and report pain ≥5/10 on the VAS. Interventions include local anesthetic (2% lidocaine with saline) or steroid plus lidocaine for trigger point injections, with or without an added GON block, performed under ultrasound guidance. Key outcomes focus on changes in pain intensity and daily function after treatment, with standard exclusions such as bleeding disorders, local infection, pregnancy, and allergy to study drugs.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged between 18 and 65 years.
* Diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) based on the major and minor criteria described by Travell and Simons (a diagnosis requires all 5 major and at least 1 minor criterion)
* Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
* Patients with neck pain lasting longer than 3 months.
* Pain intensity of ≥5 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Elderly, pediatric, pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding individuals; patients in intensive care; unconscious individuals; or legally incapacitated persons.
* Known allergy to local anesthetics used in trigger point injection (e.g., lidocaine, bupivacaine) or to other drugs used (e.g., corticosteroids).
* Patients with bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia, thrombocytopenia) or those currently on anticoagulant therapy.
* Presence of active infection at or near the injection site, or any systemic infection; impaired skin integrity.
* Patients with psychiatric disorders that may interfere with treatment response or affect study outcomes.
* Patients with severe neurological or cardiovascular disorders, or with uncontrolled diabetes.
* Patients with cervical disc pathologies with radiculopathy.
* History of receiving shoulder injection, trigger point injection, dry needling, manual therapy, or electrotherapy within the past 3 months.
* History of cervical or shoulder surgery.
* Patients diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or shoulder impingement syndrome.
* Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
* Presence of active trigger points in other back muscles.

Where it's running

• Ankara Etlik City Hospital
  Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: İlayda Gerdan, Resident Doctor
• Email: ilaydagerdan@gmail.com
• Phone: +905077136219

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Buffered lidocaine for myofascial pain: a comparison with lidocaine alone

  This study tests whether adding sodium bicarbonate to lidocaine can improve pain relief for people with myofascial pain syndrome.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Cairo, Cairo Governorate · NCT07572994

• Upper extremity function in neck pain: comparing people with chronic neck pain to healthy individuals

  We will test how chronic non-specific neck pain affects upper body function and quality of life by comparing people with neck pain to healthy adults.

  Recruiting Karabuk University · Karabük · NCT07899879

• Kinesiology Taping vs Self-Mobilization for Neck Pain from Prolonged Device Use

  This study tests whether applying kinesiology tape or doing self-mobilization helps adults with neck pain who spend many hours on electronic devices.

  Recruiting Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa · Bingoel, Bingöl · NCT07878845

• Biofeedback and Mulligan neck therapy for mechanical neck pain in women

  This study tests whether adding biofeedback-guided deep cervical flexor training to Mulligan mobilization and standard neck exercises helps reduce pain and improve movement in women aged 18–45 with mechanical neck pain.

  Recruiting Al Hayah University In Cairo · Badr, Cairo Governorate · NCT07866040

• Ischemic Release vs. Sustained Pressure Direct Myofascial Release for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points

  In people with upper trapezius trigger points, this study tests whether ischemic release or sustained pressure direct myofascial release helps reduce pain and improve neck movement.

  Recruiting Foundation University Islamabad · Islamabad, Punjab Province · NCT07838584

• Post Isometric Relaxation vs Reciprocal Inhibition for Cervicogenic Headache

  This study tests whether two gentle neck muscle techniques, post isometric relaxation and reciprocal inhibition, help people with cervicogenic headache more than a standard physical therapy routine.

  Recruiting Foundation University Islamabad · Islamabad, Punjab Province · NCT07838545

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.