The Impact of Dry Needling on Electrophysiological and Ultrasound-based Biomarkers for Myofascial… (NCT07270276) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
The Impact of Dry Needling on Electrophysiological and Ultrasound-based Biomarkers for Myofascial Pain
United States70 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this interventional study is to determine how well dry-needling can treat pain in people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does dry needling improve pain for people with a trigger point (a tender, tight spot in the muscle)?
* How well can Electrical Impedence Myography (EIM), Myofiber Threshold Tracking (TT), and Ultrasound (US) detect changes in the muscle related to dry needling treatment?
Researchers will compare dry needling to a placebo (a treatment that does not enter the trigger point) to see if dry needling works to treat Myofascial Pain Syndrome with trigger points in the trapezius muscle (the muscle that extends over the back of the neck and shoulders), as measured by these three outcome measures (EIM, US, TT).
Participants will:
* Visit the clinic twice: once to receive dry needling treatment, and once for a follow-up
* Have muscle measurements taken before treatment and at follow-up
* Have a daily survey to record the intensity of their pain
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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.
Exclusion criteria
. SSRIs, such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline,
. SNRIs, such as duloxetine, milnacipran, and venlafaxine
. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as notritptyline, amitriptyline, and desipramine
. Alpha 2 delta ligands: pregabalin, gabapentin
. Specific anti-epileptics: topiramate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine, and phenytoin
. Other: quinidine, mexiletine, and dalfampridine
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
1
Excitability threshold tracking (TT)
Timeframe: From enrollment to end of treatment follow up (2 weeks)