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Muscle Position and Dry Needling Efficacy
Sponsor: University of Alcala
Summary
Currently, no previous studies have investigated how the position of a muscle before dry needling may influence the outcome and effectiveness of the treatment. This study aims to demonstrate whether the position of the upper trapezius muscle during dry needling treatment influences the outcome of that treatment in subjects with neck pain. A total of 46 participants with chronic neck pain will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: a dry needling group with the muscle in a stretched position and a dry needling group with the muscle in a shortened position. A total of two treatment sessions will be performed, separated by a 7-day interval. The primary outcome measure will be the intensity of neck and head pain, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Other variables to be measured include the cervical disability index, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing (using a self-completion questionnaire), as well as participants' expectations and post-needling pain.
Official title: The Importance of Muscle Position in the Effectiveness of Dry Needling Technique
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 80 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-06-15
Completion Date
2026-12-15
Last Updated
2026-06-05
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.
Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.
Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.
Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.
Locations (2)
Clinical University Physiotherapy and pain
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Physioterapy and Pain center research
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain