Hip NeedlingNCT07079033
Can We Reliably Needle Hip Muscles Blindly?
A study testing Blinded Dry Needling in people with Hip Needling, run by Erzurum Regional Training & Research Hospital.
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of invasive interventions (dry needling or injection) performed on specific muscles of the hip region in reaching the anatomical target. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Hip Needling
- What is being tested?
- Blinded Dry Needling
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 28 Sep 2025to 30 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years
- Individuals with nonspecific hip, groin, or anterior thigh pain who are scheduled for physical therapy
- Clinical suspicion of myofascial pain syndrome, particularly involving muscles around the hip
- Patients with clinical indication for dry needling or similar invasive treatments (e.g., targeting muscles such as iliacus, pectineus, sartorius)
- Ability to cooperate with the procedure
- Ability to provide written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Use of anticoagulant medications (due to increased risk of bleeding)
- Severe hip osteoarthritis, presence of hip prosthesis, history of previous hip surgery, or significant anatomical deformity
- Active infection or skin lesion at the planned injection site
- Inability to cooperate or communicate effectively
- Pregnancy
- Presence of serious systemic illnesses (e.g., malignancy, neurological disorders)
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Can We Reliably Needle Hip Region Muscles Without Imaging? A Muscle-Specific Accuracy Study Using Ultrasound
The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of invasive interventions (dry needling or injection) performed on specific muscles of the hip region in reaching the anatomical target. The accuracy of the interventions performed with a blinded method will be compared with an observational assessment supported by ultrasonography. The interventions will be performed by a physician with clinical experience, and the anatomical location of the needle tip will be evaluated by a second physician with ultrasonography after each procedure. The targeted muscles include the iliacus, pectineus, sartorius, tensor fascia latae, and rectus femoris. Each participant will be subjected to interventions for five different muscles, and a total of at least 40 injection interventions will be analyzed. Ultrasonography will be used only for observation and verification purposes; no pharmacological substances will be applied during the procedure. All procedures will be performed under sterile conditions, and participants will be monitored for 24 hours for possible pain, bruising, or complications. Participants will be informed about the content and purpose of the study, and written informed consent forms will be obtained. The study does not have a therapeutic purpose and is only intended to investigate targeting accuracy. The data to be obtained is expected to contribute to the determination of anatomical accuracy rates in clinical practices and the improvement of interventional training processes.
Read the detailed description
This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of muscle targeting when dry needling injections are performed using the blinded (anatomical landmark-based) technique. The accuracy of these injections will be assessed by confirming the needle placement with ultrasonography immediately after each attempt.
According to existing literature, the accuracy of blinded injection techniques is reported to be approximately 67%, while ultrasound-guided injections achieve an accuracy of about 92%. A power analysis was conducted using these proportions to detect a statistically significant difference between the two methods. Based on these values, Cohen's h effect size was calculated as 0.66. With a significance level (alpha) of 0.05 and a statistical power of 80%, a minimum of 74 injection attempts are required.
In this study, each participant will receive injections into five different muscles suspected to be involved in myofascial pain. With 15 participants, this will result in 75 injection attempts, thereby meeting the required sample size for adequate power.
Eligible participants will be adults aged 18-65 presenting with nonspecific hip, groin, or anterior thigh pain and referred for physical therapy. The study particularly focuses on individuals with suspected myofascial pain syndrome in deep or less accessible hip-related muscles, such as the iliacus, pectineus, and sartorius. All participants must be clinically indicated for dry needling or similar interventions and capable of cooperating with the procedure.
Ultrasonographic evaluation will be used only to confirm needle placement, not to guide the injection. This allows for the assessment of the real-world accuracy of the blinded technique, which is commonly used in routine clinical practice. The findings will provide insight into the reliability of this method and help guide training and clinical decision-making in musculoskeletal and pain management practices.
- Conditions
- Hip Needling
- Being tested
- Blinded Dry Needling
- Keywords
- dry needling, trigger point, ultrasound guidance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Blinded Dry NeedlingProcedure or surgery
Dry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Dry Needling Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles | Experimental | Dry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging. Receives: Procedure: Blinded Dry Needling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Accuracy of Blinded Dry Needling Injections
Proportion of injection attempts in which the needle accurately reaches the intended target muscle using the blinded (anatomical landmark-based) technique, as confirmed by ultrasonography.
Measured: Immediately after each injection attempt
Secondary outcomes (1)
Accuracy Rate per Target Muscle
Determination of individual accuracy rates for each of the five specific muscles injected using the blinded technique (e.g., iliacus, pectineus, sartorius, etc.), based on ultrasound confirmation.
Measured: Immediately after each injection attempt
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jul 2025
- Study start28 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Hip NeedlingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Dry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Erzurum Regional Training & Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, nurmuhammet tas, Erzurum Regional Training & Research Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07079033
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- erzurum rtrh2
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 19 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is no plan to share individual participant data (IPD) from this study.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Can We Reliably Needle Hip Region Muscles Without Imaging? A Muscle-Specific Accuracy Study Using Ultrasound
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07079033
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- erzurum rtrh2
- Conditions
- Hip Needling
- Keywords
- dry needling, trigger point, ultrasound guidance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Erzurum Regional Training & Research HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 28 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Jul 2025 (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 study is to evaluate the accuracy of invasive interventions (dry needling or injection) performed on specific muscles of the hip region in reaching the anatomical target. The accuracy of the interventions performed with a blinded method will be compared with an observational assessment supported by ultrasonography. The interventions will be performed by a physician with clinical experience, and the anatomical location of the needle tip will be evaluated by a second physician with ultrasonography after each procedure. The targeted muscles include the iliacus, pectineus, sartorius, tensor fascia latae, and rectus femoris. Each participant will be subjected to interventions for five different muscles, and a total of at least 40 injection interventions will be analyzed. Ultrasonography will be used only for observation and verification purposes; no pharmacological substances will be applied during the procedure. All procedures will be performed under sterile conditions, and participants will be monitored for 24 hours for possible pain, bruising, or complications. Participants will be informed about the content and purpose of the study, and written informed consent forms will be obtained. The study does not have a therapeutic purpose and is only intended to investigate targeting accuracy. The data to be obtained is expected to contribute to the determination of anatomical accuracy rates in clinical practices and the improvement of interventional training processes.
Detailed description
This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of muscle targeting when dry needling injections are performed using the blinded (anatomical landmark-based) technique. The accuracy of these injections will be assessed by confirming the needle placement with ultrasonography immediately after each attempt.
According to existing literature, the accuracy of blinded injection techniques is reported to be approximately 67%, while ultrasound-guided injections achieve an accuracy of about 92%. A power analysis was conducted using these proportions to detect a statistically significant difference between the two methods. Based on these values, Cohen's h effect size was calculated as 0.66. With a significance level (alpha) of 0.05 and a statistical power of 80%, a minimum of 74 injection attempts are required.
In this study, each participant will receive injections into five different muscles suspected to be involved in myofascial pain. With 15 participants, this will result in 75 injection attempts, thereby meeting the required sample size for adequate power.
Eligible participants will be adults aged 18-65 presenting with nonspecific hip, groin, or anterior thigh pain and referred for physical therapy. The study particularly focuses on individuals with suspected myofascial pain syndrome in deep or less accessible hip-related muscles, such as the iliacus, pectineus, and sartorius. All participants must be clinically indicated for dry needling or similar interventions and capable of cooperating with the procedure.
Ultrasonographic evaluation will be used only to confirm needle placement, not to guide the injection. This allows for the assessment of the real-world accuracy of the blinded technique, which is commonly used in routine clinical practice. The findings will provide insight into the reliability of this method and help guide training and clinical decision-making in musculoskeletal and pain management practices.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Diagnosis
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- Dry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Dry Needling Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles | Experimental | Procedure: Blinded Dry NeedlingDry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Adults aged 18 to 65 years
- Individuals with nonspecific hip, groin, or anterior thigh pain who are scheduled for physical therapy
- Clinical suspicion of myofascial pain syndrome, particularly involving muscles around the hip
- Patients with clinical indication for dry needling or similar invasive treatments (e.g., targeting muscles such as iliacus, pectineus, sartorius)
- Ability to cooperate with the procedure
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Use of anticoagulant medications (due to increased risk of bleeding)
- Severe hip osteoarthritis, presence of hip prosthesis, history of previous hip surgery, or significant anatomical deformity
- Active infection or skin lesion at the planned injection site
- Inability to cooperate or communicate effectively
- Pregnancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blinded Dry NeedlingDry needling is performed using anatomical landmarks without ultrasound guidance. Needle placement is then confirmed via ultrasound imaging. | Procedure or surgery | Blind Dry Needling Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles |
Primary outcome
Accuracy of Blinded Dry Needling Injections
Time frame: Immediately after each injection attempt
Proportion of injection attempts in which the needle accurately reaches the intended target muscle using the blinded (anatomical landmark-based) technique, as confirmed by ultrasonography.
1 secondary outcome
Accuracy Rate per Target Muscle
Time frame: Immediately after each injection attempt
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is no plan to share individual participant data (IPD) from this study.
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.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Blinded Dry Needling in people with Hip Needling, run by Erzurum Regional Training & Research Hospital.
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 6 inclusion and 6 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact nurmuhammet tas (+905323380237, nu_mu_ta@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Accuracy of Blinded Dry Needling Injections (time frame: Immediately after each injection attempt). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 19 Sep 2025.