Chronic PainDNNCT04809038
Dry Needling Versus Magnesium Sulphate Iontophoresis in Subjects With Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
A study testing dry needling, magnesium sulphate iontophoresis and stretching exercise in people with Chronic Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
the aim of this trial is to compare dry needling and magnesium sulphate iontophoresis in subjects with mechanical neck pain Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Pain
- What is being tested?
- dry needling, magnesium sulphate iontophoresis and stretching exercise
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 1 Apr 2021to 30 Aug 2021
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- All patients had active trigger myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in upper trapeziues muscle in the dominant side with mechanical neck pain.
- The patients age ranged from 18-35years The patients had been choosen from both sexes . patient agrees not to receive additional treatment for their painful condition during the trial (apart from NSAIDs and pain killers The patients body mass index < 30 kg/m²
Who cannot join
- History of whiplash injury History of cervical spine surgery Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy Having undergone physical therapy within the past 3 months before the study. Non -rheumatologic diseases as multiple sclerosis , thyroid dysfunction and chronic infection
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Dry Needling Versus Magnesium Sulphate Iontophoresis in Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
the aim of this trial is to compare dry needling and magnesium sulphate iontophoresis in subjects with mechanical neck pain
Read the detailed description
Mechanical neck pain is a prevalent condition in various populations. Neck pain occurrence is affected by several factors, involving environmental, psychological, and social aspects. Neck pain represents the fourth major disorder responsible for a person's year lived with disability and ranked eleventh as disability-adjusted life years of a person. The neck pain incidence ranges from 10.4 to 23.3% in 1-year time, while the range of prevalence was 0.4 to 86.8%. It has a high prevalence among computer users, office workers, and females, especially females aged 35 to 49 years old. Myofascial trigger point (MTrP) might play an important role in the formation of mechanical neck pain and is known as a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is accompanied with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band.
dry needling and iontophoresis play a major role in the treatment of mechanical neck pain so this trial was conducted to determine which one has superiority. this trial has three groups. two experimental and one control group.pain, function, pressure pain threshold and emg will be measured
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Being tested
- dry needling, magnesium sulphate iontophoresis, stretching exercise
- Keywords
- dry needling, iontophoresis, neck pain
- Medical subject headings
- Chronic Pain, Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
dry needlingOther
Patient will be placed in a comfortable prone position and encouraged to maintain complete relaxation. The selected active MTrPs was prepared by wiping the area with alcohol pad, and a gauge needle with its plastic guide tube in place will be palced over the active MTrPs .a tapping motion will be used to advance the needle to a depth of 5 to 10 mm for 30 seconds
magnesium sulphate iontophoresisOther
The subjects in the iontophoresis group received MgSO4 iontophoresis using an iontophoretic drug delivery system (Phoresor_IIAuto,ModelPM850,IOMED. MTrPs were examined using pincer palpation and marked by pin. MgSO4 was applied to the active positive electrode using a syringe with a concentration of 100 mg/cm2. The active electrode was placed directly over the marked area where the sensitive MTrPs were located. The dispersive electrode was applied to the skin 6 inches distal from the active electrode.
stretching exerciseOther
The patient will be placed in a comfortable and relaxed sitting position with his back supported ; one hand was placed on the side of the head applying the stretching force, while the other hand was placed on the patients shoulder applying shoulder stablization . The direction of stretched force was in flexion , side bending to the opposite side and rotation to the same side . The stretched position will be sustained for 30 seconds , then a relaxation period of 30 seconds . This procedure was repeated 3 times .
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| dry needling | Experimental | dry needling will be received twice a week for four weeks Receives: Other: dry needling; Other: stretching exercise |
| magnesium sulphate iontophoresis | Experimental | magnesium sulphate iontophoresis will be received twice a week for four weeks Receives: Other: magnesium sulphate iontophoresis; Other: stretching exercise |
| stretching exercise | Active comparator | stretching will be received twice a week for four weeks Receives: Other: stretching exercise |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
pain intensity
pain will be measured by visual analogue scale
Measured: up to four weeks
muscle activity in the form of normalized root mean square
muscle activity will be measured by electromyograph
Measured: up to four weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
function
neck function will be measured by Arabic neck disability index
Measured: up to four weeks
pressure pain threshold
pressure pain threshold will be measured by pressure algometer
Measured: up to four weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Mar 2021
- Study start1 Apr 2021
- Primary completion30 Aug 2021
- Study completion30 Aug 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Chronic PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- this trial has three group; two experimental and one control
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Al Shaymaa Shaaban Abd El Azeim, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04809038
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- p.t.REC/012/003108
- Acronym
- DN
- Status last verified
- Jul 2022
- First submitted
- 18 Mar 2021
- Last updated
- 27 Jul 2022
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Abu El Kasem ST, Moustafa EB, Abd El-Azeim AS. Dry needling versus magnesium sulfate iontophoresis of active trigger points of the axioscapular muscle in neck pain: a single blind randomized controlled trial. Acupunct Med. 2026 Feb;44(1):3-13. doi: 10.1177/09645284251410579. Epub 2026 Jan 18.
PubMed 41549044
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Jul 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Dry Needling Versus Magnesium Sulphate Iontophoresis in Chronic Mechanical Neck Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04809038
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DN / p.t.REC/012/003108
- Conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Keywords
- dry needling, iontophoresis, neck pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Apr 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Aug 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Mar 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
the aim of this trial is to compare dry needling and magnesium sulphate iontophoresis in subjects with mechanical neck pain
Detailed description
Mechanical neck pain is a prevalent condition in various populations. Neck pain occurrence is affected by several factors, involving environmental, psychological, and social aspects. Neck pain represents the fourth major disorder responsible for a person's year lived with disability and ranked eleventh as disability-adjusted life years of a person. The neck pain incidence ranges from 10.4 to 23.3% in 1-year time, while the range of prevalence was 0.4 to 86.8%. It has a high prevalence among computer users, office workers, and females, especially females aged 35 to 49 years old. Myofascial trigger point (MTrP) might play an important role in the formation of mechanical neck pain and is known as a hyperirritable spot in skeletal muscle that is accompanied with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band.
dry needling and iontophoresis play a major role in the treatment of mechanical neck pain so this trial was conducted to determine which one has superiority. this trial has three groups. two experimental and one control group.pain, function, pressure pain threshold and emg will be measured
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- this trial has three group; two experimental and one control
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| dry needling | Experimental | Other: dry needling, Other: stretching exercisedry needling will be received twice a week for four weeks |
| magnesium sulphate iontophoresis | Experimental | Other: magnesium sulphate iontophoresis, Other: stretching exercisemagnesium sulphate iontophoresis will be received twice a week for four weeks |
| stretching exercise | Active comparator | Other: stretching exercisestretching will be received twice a week for four weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- All patients had active trigger myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in upper trapeziues muscle in the dominant side with mechanical neck pain.
- The patients age ranged from 18-35years The patients had been choosen from both sexes . patient agrees not to receive additional treatment for their painful condition during the trial (apart from NSAIDs and pain killers The patients body mass index < 30 kg/m²
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- History of whiplash injury History of cervical spine surgery Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy Having undergone physical therapy within the past 3 months before the study. Non -rheumatologic diseases as multiple sclerosis , thyroid dysfunction and chronic infection
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| dry needlingPatient will be placed in a comfortable prone position and encouraged to maintain complete relaxation. The selected active MTrPs was prepared by wiping the area with alcohol pad, and a gauge needle with its plastic guide tube in place will be palced over the active MTrPs .a tapping motion will be used to advance the needle to a depth of 5 to 10 mm for 30 seconds | Other | dry needling |
| magnesium sulphate iontophoresisThe subjects in the iontophoresis group received MgSO4 iontophoresis using an iontophoretic drug delivery system (Phoresor_IIAuto,ModelPM850,IOMED. MTrPs were examined using pincer palpation and marked by pin. MgSO4 was applied to the active positive electrode using a syringe with a concentration of 100 mg/cm2. The active electrode was placed directly over the marked area where the sensitive MTrPs were located. The dispersive electrode was applied to the skin 6 inches distal from the active electrode. | Other | magnesium sulphate iontophoresis |
| stretching exerciseThe patient will be placed in a comfortable and relaxed sitting position with his back supported ; one hand was placed on the side of the head applying the stretching force, while the other hand was placed on the patients shoulder applying shoulder stablization . The direction of stretched force was in flexion , side bending to the opposite side and rotation to the same side . The stretched position will be sustained for 30 seconds , then a relaxation period of 30 seconds . This procedure was repeated 3 times . | Other | dry needling, magnesium sulphate iontophoresis, stretching exercise |
Primary outcome
pain intensity
Time frame: up to four weeks
pain will be measured by visual analogue scale
muscle activity in the form of normalized root mean square
Time frame: up to four weeks
muscle activity will be measured by electromyograph
2 secondary outcomes
function
Time frame: up to four weeks
pressure pain threshold
Time frame: up to four weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Jul 2022.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41549044Abu El Kasem ST, Moustafa EB, Abd El-Azeim AS. Dry needling versus magnesium sulfate iontophoresis of active trigger points of the axioscapular muscle in neck pain: a single blind randomized controlled trial. Acupunct Med. 2026 Feb;44(1):3-13. doi: 10.1177/09645284251410579. Epub 2026 Jan 18.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing dry needling, magnesium sulphate iontophoresis and stretching exercise in people with Chronic Pain, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jul 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
pain intensity (time frame: up to four weeks). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04809038, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jul 2022.