Ultrasound-guided needling of a deep neck (suboccipital) muscle for headache relief

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 is a prospective, single-arm, repeated-measures interventional study enrolling adults with recent headaches and palpation tenderness of the suboccipital muscles. Each participant attends one approximately 60-minute visit during which baseline pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) and the Headache Disability Index are recorded, cervical position is standardized, and the principal investigator uses real-time ultrasound to guide dry needling of the rectus capitis posterior major while visualizing adjacent structures. The protocol also includes secondary ultrasound validation of two needle insertion angles and intra-rater test-retest reliability of ultrasound assessments at around six months. Sterile 0.25 gauge, 40 mm needles are used and bony landmarks (C2 spinous process and C1 transverse process) are identified to minimize risk.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Reports of a headache within the last 6 months (no minimum or maximum frequency or duration)
* Current reports of headache
* Tenderness to palpation of suboccipital muscles with Numeric Pain Rating Scale score ≥ 2/10
* No history of cervical spine surgery or neurological disorders

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of cervical spine trauma or surgery
* Diagnosed bleeding disorder
* Currently using anticoagulant medications
* Currently using anti-platelet medications
* Diagnosed systemic joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
* Active infection
* Diabetes
* Cancer
* Fibromyalgia
* Cervical radiculopathy
* Inability to tolerate prone positioning for the duration of the procedure.

Where it's running

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
  Lubbock, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Gary A Kearns, PT, ScD — Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
• Study coordinator: Gary A Kearns, PT, ScD
• Email: gary.kearns@ttuhsc.edu
• Phone: 12142448398

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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.