CompletedNot Applicable

Does Dry Needling Affect Treatment Outcomes of Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection in Cervical Disc Herniation?

Turkey (Türkiye)66 participantsStarted 2021-06-04

Plain-language summary

Chronic neck pain is among the most frequently seen chronic painful conditions. As an important cause of disability, chronic neck pain is a musculoskeletal disorder that negatively affects quality of life. Cervical disc herniation is one of the leading causes of chronic neck pain and conservative methods such as exercise and pain medications are used first in the treatment. In patients unresponsive to conservative treatment, epidural steroid injection is successfully and frequently used treatment option. Epidural steroid injection in the cervical region can be applied with two approaches: interlaminar or transforaminal. Myofascial trigger point characterized by intramuscular taut band and hypersensitive spots is a condition in which central and peripheral sensitization play a role in the pathophysiology. There are underlying myofascial trigger points in many etiologies that cause chronic neck pain. Trigger points can increase the severity of pain and in some cases they can be the main factor in the etiology of pain. Therefore, the presence of myofascial trigger points should be investigated, even if another cause is detected in chronic neck pain. Dry needling is an easily applicable and effective treatment option in myofascial trigger point. Although it is well known that myofascial trigger points frequently accompany cervical disc herniation, their effect on treatment outcomes has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of dry needling for trigger points on the treatment results of interlaminar epidural steroid injection in patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18-65 * Chronic neck pain due to cervical disc herniation for at least 3 months and being unresponsive to conservative treatment * Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point on physical examination of cervical paraspinal muscles, scapulothoracic muscles and extremity muscles. Exclusion Criteria: * Previous surgical/interventional procedure for the cervical region * Previous application of dry needling/acupuncture to any part of the body * Presence of other musculoskeletal disorders (such as lateral epicondylitis, tendinitis, entrapment neuropathy) that may cause diagnostic confusion in terms of pain pattern and localization * Signs of trauma, fracture, malignancy, or active infection * Rheumatological (RA, AS, etc.), endocrinological (such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease) or another systemic disease that may change the anatomical or physiological structure of the relevant regions * Presence of coagulopathy * History of whiplash injury, cervical spinal stenosis, cervical spondylosis * Have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia * Being pregnant and breastfeeding * Presence of mental deterioration or psychiatric/neurological disease that can affect flow of the study.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change of pain severity from baseline to each checkpoints

Timeframe: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional 1st hour, 3rd week, 3rd month

Change of the number of active trigger points from baseline to each checkpoints

Timeframe: from pre-interventional time to post-interventional 3rd week, 3rd month

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04914637

SponsorMarmara University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-10-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Pain, Myofacial trials