Dry needling for pain and muscle changes in trapezius trigger points

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 compares dry needling to a sham procedure that does not enter the trigger point to see whether dry needling reduces pain and changes objective muscle measurements. Participants have baseline testing (electrical impedance myography, threshold tracking, and ultrasound), receive the assigned procedure, and return for a follow-up visit with the same measurements. Daily symptom surveys are collected between visits to track pain changes. Eligible adults (18–80) must have an active upper trapezius trigger point and meet medication stability requirements.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages 18-80
* Presence of active trigger points with involvement of upper trapezius
* Able to manage breakthrough pain with acetaminophen only, excluding stable doses of pain medications at time of enrollment, which can be continued

Exclusion Criteria:

* Multiple active trigger points in the trapezius muscle if physician assessment concludes that this may interfere with subject's ability to detect changes in pain improvement from trigger point therapy
* Presence of cervical radicular pain, superimposed neuromuscular disease or condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, could confound interpretation of the data acquired from trapezius.
* Fibromyalgia or other generalized pain condition
* Opioid usage in the past 3 months
* Active substance use disorder
* Not on a stable dose for at least two weeks prior to study enrollment or unwilling to maintain a stable dose for duration of the study of the following drugs:

  1. SSRIs, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline,
  2. SNRIs, such as duloxetine, milnacipran, and venlafaxine
  3. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as notritptyline, amitriptyline, and desipramine
  4. Alpha 2 delta ligands: pregabalin, gabapentin
  5. Specific anti-epileptics: topiramate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin
  6. Other: quinidine, mexiletine, and dalfampridine
* Skin allergy or sensitivity that would preclude the use of adhesive electrodes
* Significant systemic or psychiatric illness that in the opinion of the site Investigator would interfere with the individual's ability to participate in the trial
* Anticoagulation (with coumadin, clopidogrel, or direct oral anticoagulants; aspirin acceptable)
* TrP needle-based therapy in the past six weeks of the TrP to be studied
* Body mass index \> 35 kg/m2
* Other factor that in the opinion of the site investigator would interfere with the ability to perform the study procedures

Where it's running

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting
• Massachusetts General Hospital
  Boston, Massachusetts, United States Not yet recruiting

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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.