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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Myofascial trigger point steroid injection versus greater occipital nerve block for chronic migraine

Official title: Clinical Study of Myofascial Trigger Points(MTrPs) Injection in the Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain(CMP), Chronic Migraine and Cervicogenic Headache

Run by Beijing Tiantan Hospital · NCT07347067 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial will test whether steroid injections into myofascial trigger points work as well as greater occipital nerve block for adults (18–65) with chronic migraine who still have moderate pain despite treatment.

More Myofascial Trigger Points trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment1036 (estimated)
SponsorBeijing Tiantan Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality)
StatusRecruiting
StartedDecember 1, 2025
Main results expectedDecember 1, 2026
Study endsJune 1, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 16, 2026
Trial IDNCT07347067 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–65 with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic migraine for at least 3 months, NRS ≥3 despite prior conservative treatment, and able to consent and attend follow-up visits.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, allergic to corticosteroids, on long-term steroid therapy, with severe comorbidities or active infection, or those with substance use or prolonged opioid use are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.

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

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, randomized, blinded-outcome, non-inferiority trial comparing glucocorticoid injections at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) with greater occipital nerve block in adults with chronic migraine. Eligible patients are randomized to one of the two injection approaches and followed for two years with regular visits. Key outcomes include pain intensity (NRS), headache attack frequency and duration, HIT-6 scores, and patient global impression measures. The design targets patients with at least 3 months of disease and persistent pain (NRS ≥3) despite conservative pharmacologic therapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the MTrP injection could offer a safe, easy-to-perform alternative that reduces pain and migraine burden comparable to occipital nerve block and improves quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: Prior domestic and international studies have reported that glucocorticoid injections at MTrPs can relieve pain, but direct long-term randomized non-inferiority comparisons with occipital nerve block are limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with migraine by at least two pain specialists or neurologists;
* Disease duration of at least 3 months;
* Age between 18 and 65 years;
* Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score ≥ 3 despite conservative pharmacological treatment;
* Signed informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of allergy to trial medications such as corticosteroids;
* Alcohol abuse; long-term use of opioids (exceeding 2 weeks or more than 3 days per week for over 1 month); suspected use of sedative or analgesic medications; patients on long-term steroid therapy;
* Severe neurological disorders, significant hepatic or renal dysfunction, heart failure, coagulation abnormalities, gastric ulcer, diabetes, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, etc.;
* Inability to use pain assessment scales;
* Presence of local or systemic infection;
* Pregnant or lactating patients.

Where it's running

  • Beijing Tiantan Hospital
    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

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.
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Myofascial Trigger Points 7Chronic Migraine Headache 13Greater Occipital Nerve Block 2Beijing Tiantan Hospital 169
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.