Myofascial Pain SyndromeMPS-TREATNCT07511751
COMPARISON OF THREE TREATMENT MODALITIES IN MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME
A study testing Dry Needling, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF) in people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome, run by ALİEMAN at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional status. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Dry Needling, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 10 Mar 2026to 10 Mar 2027
- 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
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Clinically diagnosed myofascial pain syndrome
- Back pain lasting at least 3 months
- Failure to respond to conservative treatments
Who cannot join
- History of cervical surgery or cervical disc pathology
- Fibromyalgia
- Shoulder pathologies
- Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulant therapy
- Infection, malignancy, or inflammatory spinal diseases
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Sakarya Training and Research Hospital
Adapazarı, Sakarya
About this study
Official title: COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OFF DRY NEEDLING, EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY, AND TRANSCUTANEOUS PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY IN PATIENTS WITH MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional status. Patients will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, and outcomes will be evaluated before and after the interventions. The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining the most effective treatment method for pain management.
Read the detailed description
Myofascial pain syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by trigger points and chronic pain. Various treatment modalities such as dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are used in clinical practice; however, there is no clear consensus on the most effective approach.
This randomized, parallel-group study aims to compare the effectiveness of these three treatment methods in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. Eligible patients aged between 18 and 65 years with chronic back pain lasting at least 3 months will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive dry needling, ESWT, or PRF treatment.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and functional outcomes will also be evaluated. The study is expected to contribute to the current literature by providing comparative data on these commonly used treatment modalities and guiding clinical decision-making.
- Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Dry Needling, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)
- Keywords
- myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling, ESWT, pulsed radiofrequency, pain
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry NeedlingProcedure or surgery
Dry needling applied to myofascial trigger points
Extracorporeal Shock Wave TherapyProcedure or surgery
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the painful area
Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)Procedure or surgery
Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the target area for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Group | Experimental | Patients receiving dry needling treatment. Receives: Procedure: Dry Needling |
| ESWT Group | Experimental | Patients receiving extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) Receives: Procedure: Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy |
| PRF Group | Experimental | Patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment. Receives: Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS). Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Secondary outcomes (3)
Pressure Pain Threshold
Pressure pain threshold will be measured using algometry. Pressure pain threshold will be measured using an algometer (kg/cm²). Higher values indicate lower pain sensitivity and improved clinical condition.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Functional status will be evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Functional status will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater functional impairment.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Quality of Life (SF-12
Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. The SF-12 includes physical and mental component summary scores, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.
Measured: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Apr 2026
- Study start10 Mar 2026
- Primary completion10 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion10 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Myofascial Pain SyndromeStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be assigned to three parallel groups receiving dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), or pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), respectively.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- ALİEMAN
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, ALİEMAN, Sakarya University
- Investigators
- KEMAL NAS, MD, Professor, Principal investigator, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of AlgologyRIDVAN ISIK, MD, Study chair, Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Algology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07511751
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MAS-TEZ--2026
- Acronym
- MPS-TREAT
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 7 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OFF DRY NEEDLING, EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY, AND TRANSCUTANEOUS PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY IN PATIENTS WITH MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07511751
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MPS-TREAT / MAS-TEZ--2026
- Conditions
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Keywords
- myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling, ESWT, pulsed radiofrequency, pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- ALİEMANUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 10 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 10 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 Apr 2026 (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.
This study aims to compare the effectiveness of dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The primary outcomes include pain intensity and functional status. Patients will be randomly assigned to different treatment groups, and outcomes will be evaluated before and after the interventions. The results of this study are expected to contribute to determining the most effective treatment method for pain management.
Detailed description
Myofascial pain syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by trigger points and chronic pain. Various treatment modalities such as dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are used in clinical practice; however, there is no clear consensus on the most effective approach.
This randomized, parallel-group study aims to compare the effectiveness of these three treatment methods in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. Eligible patients aged between 18 and 65 years with chronic back pain lasting at least 3 months will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive dry needling, ESWT, or PRF treatment.
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and functional outcomes will also be evaluated. The study is expected to contribute to the current literature by providing comparative data on these commonly used treatment modalities and guiding clinical decision-making.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants will be assigned to three parallel groups receiving dry needling, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), or pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), respectively.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Group | Experimental | Procedure: Dry NeedlingPatients receiving dry needling treatment. |
| ESWT Group | Experimental | Procedure: Extracorporeal Shock Wave TherapyPatients receiving extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) |
| PRF Group | Experimental | Procedure: Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)Patients receiving pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) treatment. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Clinically diagnosed myofascial pain syndrome
- Back pain lasting at least 3 months
- Failure to respond to conservative treatments
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of cervical surgery or cervical disc pathology
- Fibromyalgia
- Shoulder pathologies
- Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulant therapy
- Infection, malignancy, or inflammatory spinal diseases
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 NeedlingDry needling applied to myofascial trigger points | Procedure or surgery | Dry Needling Group |
| Extracorporeal Shock Wave TherapyExtracorporeal shock wave therapy applied to the painful area | Procedure or surgery | ESWT Group |
| Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF)Pulsed radiofrequency applied to the target area for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome | Procedure or surgery | PRF Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale(NRS). Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.
3 secondary outcomes
Pressure Pain Threshold
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Neck Disability Index (NDI)
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
Quality of Life (SF-12
Time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment
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 7 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
KEMAL NAS, MD, Professor principal investigator
Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Algology
RIDVAN ISIK, MD study chair
Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Algology
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, Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Pulsed radiofrequency(PRF) in people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome, run by ALİEMAN at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 May 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
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 AYSENUR IMAMOGLU BABA, MD,Resident (+905437866097, aysenurimamoglub@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (time frame: Baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment). 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 7 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.