Effects of Dry Needling on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Extensor Digitorum Communis: a… (NCT07672093) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Dry Needling on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Extensor Digitorum Communis: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Spain150 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
This randomized single-blind clinical trial aims to compare the effects of different dry needling and electrical dry needling techniques applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm in healthy adults.
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of five groups: a control group, a Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling group, a rotational dry needling group, a bipolar electrical dry needling group, or a monopolar electrical dry needling group. The main outcomes will be post-needling soreness intensity and duration. Secondary outcomes will include pain during the needling procedure, pressure pain threshold assessed by algometry, handgrip strength, range of motion of finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion, perceived comfort during the intervention, and perceived interference of post-needling soreness with daily activities.
Assessments will be performed at baseline, 5 minutes after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 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:
* Adults aged 18 to 40 years.
* Healthy participants with a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
* No pathology affecting the upper limb where the intervention will be applied.
* No episode of pain in the upper limb during at least the previous two months.
* No contraindications to dry needling or electrical dry needling techniques.
* Voluntary signature of the informed consent form.
* Willingness to follow the protocol proposed by the research team.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Needle phobia.
* Coagulation disorders.
* Pregnancy.
* Thyroid disorders.
* Altered skin integrity in the treatment area.
* Epilepsy.
* Local or systemic infection.
* Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting pain perception or neuromuscular function in the region of interest, such as multiple sclerosis or peripheral neuropathies.
* Generalized chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia.
* Weekly use of analgesic medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, or other pain-relieving medication.
Withdrawal Criteria:
* Lack of participant collaboration.
* Failure to complete follow-up assessments after the intervention.
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.