Three dry needling approaches for chronic low back pain
PINPOINT Study: Pain Intervention With Needling: Pilot Of Integrated Neuromodulation Techniques
This study will see if three types of dry needling—dry needling alone, dry needling with high-rate PENS, and dry needling with low-rate PENS—reduce pain and improve quality of life for adults with chronic low back pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Galveston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07112404 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Phase 1 will enroll up to 12 healthy adults for three short dry-needling sessions to refine procedures and timing. Phase 2 will randomize about 30 adults with chronic low back pain into one of three intervention groups and involve baseline assessments, six treatment visits, a post-intervention assessment, and at least a two-week washout period. Interventions include dry needling alone, dry needling combined with high-rate percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), and dry needling combined with low-rate PENS. All visits take place in person at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and include patient-reported pain and quality-of-life measures plus a one-on-one interview after treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18 to 65 who have had lumbar-region pain for at least three months and experience pain on roughly 75% or more of days are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with acute or short-duration low back pain, those currently receiving ongoing lumbar treatments beyond routine follow-up, or those outside the 18–65 age range are unlikely to be appropriate or benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, these approaches could offer a minimally invasive option to reduce chronic low back pain and improve daily function and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Small clinical studies and clinical practice report pain reductions with dry needling and pain-relief effects with PENS, but evidence combining these specific techniques in randomized groups is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Both males and females between the ages of 18 and 65 will be included in this study. Phase 1 Inclusion criteria \- Healthy adults who report no pain for more than 1 day in the past 3 months in their lumbar region. Lumbar region will include posterior lumber musculature, lumbar spine, sacroiliac pain, or superior gluteal area pain. Phase 2 Inclusion criteria * Adults experiencing chronic low back pain. Chronic low back pain will be identified as having pain the lumbar region for at least 3 months. The pain may be constant or episodic in nature. * Participants will be included if they experience pain at least 75% of the days in the past 3 months. All pain levels will be included. Lumbar region will include posterior lumber musculature, lumbar spine, sacroiliac pain, or superior gluteal area pain. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are currently seeking any form of medical treatment for lumbar conditions beyond routine physician follow-up appointments in order to avoid confounding variables, regardless of pain-free status. These may include, but are not limited to, seeking treatment from a chiropractor, acupuncturist, or massage therapist or medical procedures such as injections into the lumbar region for pain. * Additionally, those with previous lumbar surgeries or those with previous major injuries to the lumbar spine that may have resulted in structural abnormalities that may compromise needle placement will be excluded. If surgical procedures did not alter structural alignment, then it will be allowed. For example, an approved procedure may include discectomy or nerve ablation, while a not approved procedure would include a lumbar fusion or scoliosis rod placement. * Additionally, if a person is experiencing radicular symptoms from a back injury, despite not feeling the symptoms in the lumbar region, will not be considered. Radicular symptoms will be defined as those present past the knee and/or electrical in nature. Individuals with neurological conditions or those who need the services of another due to cognitive deficits will not be considered for this study. * Furthermore, as this study relies on an intact sensory system, participants with conditions that may affect sensory processing (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, skin conditions, or circulatory disorders) will be excluded through careful screening. Additional exclusion criteria * Will include the following conditions identified as contraindications for dry needling: those with impaired sensitivity, taking anticoagulants, a compromised immune system, a local or systemic infection, an active tumor, history of lymph node removal, history of autoimmune disease, allergy to metals such as nickel or chromium, history of cosmetic procedures in the area, pregnant individuals, or osteoporosis. * Non-English-speaking subjects will be excluded from the study due to the need to understand any communication while dry-needling procedures are taking place.
Where this trial is running
Galveston, Texas
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston — Galveston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ryan Pontiff, PT, DPT, PhD
- Email: rypontif@utmb.edu
- Phone: 409-772-0310
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.