Dry needling and laser microcurrent therapy for neck muscle 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 interventional study enrolls adults aged 20–45 with acute upper trapezius myofascial pain and randomizes them to receive dry needling, LL MCES, or sham dry needling. The researchers measure biomarkers TNF-α and MDA in serum and track clinical outcomes such as pain intensity and neck-related disability. The aim is to see if these non-pharmacologic therapies lower inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and translate into meaningful symptom relief. The design integrates biomarker and patient-reported outcomes to explore links between biology and clinical improvement in myofascial pain. Conducted at Udayana University in Denpasar, Bali, the trial compares active interventions to a sham procedure to assess efficacy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must meet all of the following criteria:

Adults aged 20 to 45 years. Clinical diagnosis of acute upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) with symptom duration of less than 1 month.

Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle confirmed by physical examination according to accepted diagnostic criteria (palpable taut band, hypersensitive trigger point, reproduction of the patient's typical pain, and/or local twitch response).

Moderate or greater neck pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale \[NPRS\] ≥4). Willing and able to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded:

Previous dry needling or LL MCES treatment for the current episode of myofascial pain.

Chronic myofascial pain syndrome (symptom duration ≥1 month). Current use of systemic corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other medications that may significantly influence inflammatory biomarkers within the washout period specified in the protocol.

Previous surgery, fracture, or significant trauma involving the neck or shoulder region.

Cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy, fibromyalgia, inflammatory arthritis, or other neurological or musculoskeletal disorders that could explain the symptoms.

Local skin infection, open wound, or other contraindications to dry needling or LL MCES.

Bleeding disorders, anticoagulant therapy, or other contraindications to needling.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active malignancy, autoimmune disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, acute infection, or other systemic inflammatory conditions.

History of severe psychiatric illness or inability to complete study assessments.

Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the previous 30 days.

Where it's running

• Udayana University
  Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: I Putu Eka Widyadharma, MD, PhD
• Email: eka.widyadharma@unud.ac.id
• Phone: +62 812-3787-2840

Similar studies

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

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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.