Dry needling for pain and muscle changes in trapezius trigger points
The Impact of Dry Needling on Electrophysiological and Ultrasound-based Biomarkers for Myofascial Pain
This trial tests whether dry needling eases pain and produces measurable muscle changes (using electrical impedance myography, threshold tracking, and ultrasound) for people with trigger points in the trapezius.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 70 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07270276 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 with a single active trigger point in the upper trapezius who can manage breakthrough pain with acetaminophen and are on stable permitted medications.
Not a fit: People with generalized pain conditions like fibromyalgia, recent opioid use, multiple overlapping trapezius trigger points, active substance use disorder, or unstable/unsuitable medications are unlikely to benefit or will be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could show that dry needling lowers pain and produces detectable improvements in muscle function or structure at trapezius trigger points.
How similar studies have performed: Prior small trials have reported short-term pain relief from dry needling for myofascial pain, but objective electrophysiological and ultrasound biomarkers are less well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.