Myofascial Trigger Point PainNCT05429827

The Therapeutic Effects of Dextrose Injection for Myofascial Pain Syndrome

A study testing normal saline, Dextrose 5% in water and Dextrose 15% in water in people with Myofascial Trigger Point Pain, run by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

Search all trials

Trial summary

Who is it for?: Ages 20 years and older
Conditions the study is for: Myofascial Trigger Point Pain
What is being tested?: normal saline, Dextrose 5% in water and Dextrose 15% in water
Type of treatment: Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?: Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people: 23 participants
Where: 1 siteTaiwan
Study dates: 18 Nov 2022to 31 Dec 2025
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 20 years and older
All sexes
No healthy volunteers
Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

1). Patients should be 20 years of age or older;
2). They are able to communicate freely;
3). Patients have the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) with a definite myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the neck base and upper back regions (the upper trapezius muscle). The MTrP is identiﬁed based on the following criteria, as recommended by Simons [Simons et al., 1999]:
(a). a localized tender spot in a palpable taut band of muscle ﬁbers,
(b). recognized pain (as the usual clinical complaint) when the tender spot is compressed,
(c). characteristic and consistent referred pain.
4). Symptoms of MPS should be more than 3 weeks.

Who cannot join

(1). acute or serious medical problems;
(2). cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorder;
(3). coagulopathy or any other bleeding disorder;
(4). taking medication of anticoagulation or antithrombolytics;
(5). sensory deficiency over the body part where MTrPs located;
(6). serum hepatitis B or acquired immunodeﬁciency syndrome;

Show all 9Show fewer

(7). malignancy;
(8). pregnant or likely to be pregnant.
(9). diabetes mellitus

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Taiwan1 site

Department of physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Tainan, 704

Other trials in Taiwan

About this study

Patients with an myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in their upper trapezius will be divided into three groups: Group A receiving MTrP injection with normal saline (control group), Group B with hypo-osmolar dextrose (5% dextrose), and Group C with hyper-osmolar dextrose (15% dextrose). Clinical outcomes and morphological changes will be measured before the injection, one hour after, one week after, two weeks after, and one month after the injection to delineate the therapeutic effects of dextrose injection for an MTrP.

Read the detailed description

This experiment is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of dextrose injection on an myofascial trigger point (MTrP). Patients with an MTrP in their upper trapezius will be recruited and be divided into three groups: Group A receiving MTrP injection with normal saline (control group), Group B with hypo-osmolar dextrose (5% dextrose), and Group C with hyper-osmolar dextrose (15% dextrose). Clinical outcomes (visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold, range of motion, neck disability index) will be measured before the injection, one hour after, one week after, two weeks after, and one month after the injection. Morphological changes of an MTrP before, and after the injection will also be evaluated by sonography. Through this study, the definite therapeutic effects, and the better osmolality of dextrose injection for the treatment of an MTrP will be delineated.

Conditions: Myofascial Trigger Point Pain
Being tested: normal saline, Dextrose 5% in water, Dextrose 15% in water
Keywords: myofascial trigger point, endplate noise, dextrose.
Medical subject headings: Myofascial Pain Syndromes

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

normal salineOther
Inject 2 ml normal saline into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.
Dextrose 5% in waterDrug
Inject 2 ml 5% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.
Dextrose 15% in waterDrug
Inject 2 ml 15% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.

Study groups in NCT05429827
Study group	Role	What they receive
Normal saline	Placebo comparator	Injection of 2 ml normal saline into a myofascial trigger point. Receives: Other: normal saline
hypo-osmolar dextrose solution	Experimental	Injection of 2 ml 5% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point. Receives: Drug: Dextrose 5% in water
hyper-osmolar dextrose solution	Experimental	Injection of 2 ml 15% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point. Receives: Drug: Dextrose 15% in water

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

visual analog scale (VAS)
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one hour after intervention.
visual analog scale (VAS)
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one week after intervention.
visual analog scale (VAS)
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at two weeks after intervention.
visual analog scale (VAS)
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one month after intervention.

Secondary outcomes (12)

pressure pain threshold (PPT)
To measure the change of pressure pain threshold of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0 Kg/cm2, the maximum value is 5 Kg/cm2, and higher scores mean better outcome (less painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one hour after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
To measure the change of pressure pain threshold of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0 Kg/cm2, the maximum value is 5 Kg/cm2, and higher scores mean better outcome (less painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one week after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
To measure the change of pressure pain threshold of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0 Kg/cm2, the maximum value is 5 Kg/cm2, and higher scores mean better outcome (less painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at two weeks after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
To measure the change of pressure pain threshold of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0 Kg/cm2, the maximum value is 5 Kg/cm2, and higher scores mean better outcome (less painful).
Measured: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one month after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
To measure the change of the range of motion of cervical spine. The minimum value is 0 degree, the maximum value is 90 degree, and higher scores mean better outcome.
Measured: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one hour after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
To measure the change of the range of motion of cervical spine. The minimum value is 0 degree, the maximum value is 90 degree, and higher scores mean better outcome.
Measured: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one week after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
To measure the change of the range of motion of cervical spine. The minimum value is 0 degree, the maximum value is 90 degree, and higher scores mean better outcome.
Measured: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at two weeks after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
To measure the change of the range of motion of cervical spine. The minimum value is 0 degree, the maximum value is 90 degree, and higher scores mean better outcome.
Measured: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one month after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
To measure the change of neck disability index (NDI) related to the myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 50, and higher scores mean worse outcome (increased functional disability).
Measured: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one hour after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
To measure the change of neck disability index (NDI) related to the myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 50, and higher scores mean worse outcome (increased functional disability).
Measured: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one week after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
To measure the change of neck disability index (NDI) related to the myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 50, and higher scores mean worse outcome (increased functional disability).
Measured: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at two weeks after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
To measure the change of neck disability index (NDI) related to the myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, the maximum value is 50, and higher scores mean worse outcome (increased functional disability).
Measured: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one month after intervention.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

18 Nov 202231 Dec 2025

First posted23 Jun 2022
Study start18 Nov 2022
Primary completion21 Jun 2024
Study completion31 Dec 2025

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
Other trials for Myofascial Trigger Point PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
More trials run by National Cheng-Kung University HospitalThe 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
Masking: Triple blind
Who is masked: Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment: 23 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05429827
Sponsor's protocol ID: B-BR-110-078
Status last verified: Jul 2026
First submitted: 10 Jun 2022
Last updated: 14 Jul 2026
Results posted: No
Data monitoring committee: No
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: No

Publications

Chou Y, Chiou HJ, Wang HK, Lai YC. Ultrasound-guided dextrose injection treatment for chronic myofascial pain syndrome: A retrospective case series. J Chin Med Assoc. 2020 Sep;83(9):876-879. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000339.
PubMed 32349034
Hauser RA, Lackner JB, Steilen-Matias D, Harris DK. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Jul 7;9:139-59. doi: 10.4137/CMAMD.S39160. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27429562
Hong CZ. Treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Oct;10(5):345-9. doi: 10.1007/s11916-006-0058-3.
PubMed 16945250
Hong CZ, Simons DG. Pathophysiologic and electrophysiologic mechanisms of myofascial trigger points. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998 Jul;79(7):863-72. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(98)90371-9.
PubMed 9685106
Kuan TS, Chen JT, Chen SM, Chien CH, Hong CZ. Effect of botulinum toxin on endplate noise in myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Jul;81(7):512-20; quiz 521-3. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200207000-00008.
PubMed 12131178

Want to know more?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

See locations

Not yet recruiting
Effects of IASTM, Deep Friction Massage, and Sham Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Electromyographical Activation, Pain and Function in Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
Recruiting
Comparing Myofascial Exercise and Trigger Point Therapy for Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Non-specific Low Back Pain
Recruiting
Evaluation of the Effect of Adding Sodium Bicarbonate to Lidocaine in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofacial Pain, Myofacial Pain Syndrome
Not yet recruiting
Focused Versus Multi-Target Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain
Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruiting
Comparison of Suboccipital Release and Muscle Energy Technique in Subjects With Mechanical Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture
Myofascial Trigger Points, Neck Pain

All Myofascial Trigger Point Pain trials

Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: The Therapeutic Effects of Dextrose Injection for Myofascial Pain Syndrome
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05429827
Acronym / sponsor ID: B-BR-110-078
Conditions: Myofascial Trigger Point Pain
Keywords: myofascial trigger point, endplate noise, dextrose.
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Completed
Enrolment: 23 participants (actual)
Lead sponsor: National Cheng-Kung University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
Study start: 18 Nov 2022 (actual)
Primary completion: 21 Jun 2024 (actual)
Study completion: 31 Dec 2025 (actual)
First posted: 23 Jun 2022 (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.

Detailed description

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
Number of arms: 3

Arm	Type	Receives
Normal saline	Placebo comparator	Other: normal salineInjection of 2 ml normal saline into a myofascial trigger point.
hypo-osmolar dextrose solution	Experimental	Drug: Dextrose 5% in waterInjection of 2 ml 5% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point.
hyper-osmolar dextrose solution	Experimental	Drug: Dextrose 15% in waterInjection of 2 ml 15% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point.

Who may qualify

Ages: 20 years and older
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Age groups: Adult, Older adult

Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)

1). Patients should be 20 years of age or older;
2). They are able to communicate freely;
3). Patients have the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) with a definite myofascial trigger point (MTrP) in the neck base and upper back regions (the upper trapezius muscle). The MTrP is identiﬁed based on the following criteria, as recommended by Simons [Simons et al., 1999]:
4). Symptoms of MPS should be more than 3 weeks.

Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)

(1). acute or serious medical problems;
(2). cognitive impairment or psychiatric disorder;
(3). coagulopathy or any other bleeding disorder;
(4). taking medication of anticoagulation or antithrombolytics;
(5). sensory deficiency over the body part where MTrPs located;

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
normal salineInject 2 ml normal saline into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.	Other	Normal saline
Dextrose 5% in waterInject 2 ml 5% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.	Drug	hypo-osmolar dextrose solution
Dextrose 15% in waterInject 2 ml 15% dextrose into a myofascial trigger point and evaluate the clinical effects before and after the injection.	Drug	hyper-osmolar dextrose solution

Primary outcome

visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one hour after intervention.
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one week after intervention.
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at two weeks after intervention.
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).
visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one month after intervention.
To measure the pain intensity of a myofascial trigger point. The minimum value is 0, and the maximum value is 10, and higher scores mean worse outcome (more painful).

12 secondary outcomes

pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one hour after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one week after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at two weeks after intervention.
pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Time frame: Change from Baseline pressure pain threshold at one month after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
Time frame: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one hour after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
Time frame: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one week after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
Time frame: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at two weeks after intervention.
Range of motion (ROM) of the neck
Time frame: Change from Baseline range of motion (ROM) of the neck at one month after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
Time frame: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one hour after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
Time frame: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one week after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
Time frame: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at two weeks after intervention.
neck disability index (NDI)
Time frame: Change from Baseline neck disability index (NDI) at one month after intervention.

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 14 Jul 2026.
Background: PubMed 32349034Chou Y, Chiou HJ, Wang HK, Lai YC. Ultrasound-guided dextrose injection treatment for chronic myofascial pain syndrome: A retrospective case series. J Chin Med Assoc. 2020 Sep;83(9):876-879. doi: 10.1097/JCMA.0000000000000339.
Background: PubMed 27429562Hauser RA, Lackner JB, Steilen-Matias D, Harris DK. A Systematic Review of Dextrose Prolotherapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2016 Jul 7;9:139-59. doi: 10.4137/CMAMD.S39160. eCollection 2016.
Background: PubMed 16945250Hong CZ. Treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Oct;10(5):345-9. doi: 10.1007/s11916-006-0058-3.
Background: PubMed 9685106Hong CZ, Simons DG. Pathophysiologic and electrophysiologic mechanisms of myofascial trigger points. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998 Jul;79(7):863-72. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(98)90371-9.
Background: PubMed 12131178Kuan TS, Chen JT, Chen SM, Chien CH, Hong CZ. Effect of botulinum toxin on endplate noise in myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Jul;81(7):512-20; quiz 521-3. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200207000-00008.
Individual participant dataSharing planned: No

Related trials for Myofascial Trigger Point Pain

Not yet recruiting
Effects of IASTM, Deep Friction Massage, and Sham Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Electromyographical Activation, Pain and Function in Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
Recruiting
Comparing Myofascial Exercise and Trigger Point Therapy for Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Non-specific Low Back Pain
Recruiting
Evaluation of the Effect of Adding Sodium Bicarbonate to Lidocaine in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Myofacial Pain, Myofacial Pain Syndrome
Not yet recruiting
Focused Versus Multi-Target Trigger Point Injection for Chronic Myofascial Neck Pain
Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Chronic Neck Pain
Not yet recruiting
Comparison of Suboccipital Release and Muscle Energy Technique in Subjects With Mechanical Neck Pain and Forward Head Posture
Myofascial Trigger Points, Neck Pain

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.

Ta-Shen Kuan, M.D., M.S. principal investigator

National Cheng-Kung University Hospital

1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing normal saline, Dextrose 5% in water and Dextrose 15% in water in people with Myofascial Trigger Point Pain, run by National Cheng-Kung University Hospital at 1 site in Taiwan.

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 7 inclusion and 9 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 14 Jul 2026. 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 Taiwan. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?

visual analog scale (VAS) (time frame: Change from Baseline visual analog scale at one hour after intervention.). The study lists 4 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 NCT05429827, which also lists 5 linked publications.

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 14 Jul 2026.