Neck PainNCT07629141
Muscle Position and Dry Needling Efficacy
A study testing Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction. and Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction. in people with Neck Pain and Headache, run by University of Alcala at 2 sites in Spain.
Trial summary
Currently, no previous studies have investigated how the position of a muscle before dry needling may influence the outcome and effectiveness of the treatment. This study aims to demonstrate whether the position of the upper trapezius muscle during dry needling treatment influences the outcome of that treatment in… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- What is being tested?
- Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction. and Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesSpain
- Study dates
- 8 Jun 2026to 15 Dec 2026
- 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 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Neck pain lasting more than 3 months
- Current neck pain greater than 3/10 on the VAS (Visual Analog Scale)
- Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle, meeting the following criteria: Painful point within a taut band whose palpation reproduces the patient's symptoms.
Who cannot join
- Neck pain with a medical diagnosis (fractures, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Radicular pain (paresthesia, burning, electric shocks)
- Whiplash or any recent trauma
- Previous surgery
- Treatment by another physiotherapist within the last 3 months
- Infections
Show all 12Show fewer
- Needle phobia
- Use of anticoagulant medications
- Pregnancy
- Fibromyalgia
- Metal allergies
- Cognitive deficits or communication problems
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Spain2 sites, 2 recruiting
- Recruiting
Clinical University Physiotherapy and pain
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 2805
Patricia Martinez-Merinero, PhD, 683378391, clinica.fisio@fgua.es
- Recruiting
Physioterapy and Pain center research
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28805
Laura López Pérez, Mrs, +34683378391, info@institutofisioterapiaydolor.es
About this study
Official title: The Importance of Muscle Position in the Effectiveness of Dry Needling Technique
Currently, no previous studies have investigated how the position of a muscle before dry needling may influence the outcome and effectiveness of the treatment.
This study aims to demonstrate whether the position of the upper trapezius muscle during dry needling treatment influences the outcome of that treatment in subjects with neck pain.
A total of 46 participants with chronic neck pain will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: a dry needling group with the muscle in a stretched position and a dry needling group with the muscle in a shortened position. A total of two treatment sessions will be performed, separated by a 7-day interval. The primary outcome measure will be the intensity of neck and head pain, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Other variables to be measured include the cervical disability index, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing (using a self-completion questionnaire), as well as participants' expectations and post-needling pain.
- Being tested
- Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction., Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.
- Keywords
- dry needling, Musculoskeletal Pain
- Medical subject headings
- Neck Pain, Headache, Musculoskeletal Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.Other
Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.
Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.Other
Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Upper trapezius dry needling with adduction shoulder | Experimental | The dry needling technique will be applied to the trapezius muscle while the subject lies prone, with the upper limb at the side of the body, shoulder lowered, in adduction and cervical region in a neutral position.
The dry needling technique will be applied using a pincer grasp, inserting the needle from the posterior to the anterior portion of the upper trapezius muscle. Receives: Other: Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction. |
| Upper trapezius dry needling with 90º abduction shoulder | Experimental | The dry needling technique will be applied to the trapezius muscle while the subject lies prone, with the upper limb separated from the body, shoulder at 90 degrees of abduction and cervical region in a neutral position.
The dry needling technique will be applied using a pincer grasp, inserting the needle from the posterior to the anterior portion of the upper trapezius muscle. Receives: Other: Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The visual analog scale (VAS)
Intensity of neck and head pain: This was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). It consists of a 10 cm horizontal line, where 0 cm on the left side represents "no pain" and 10 cm on the right side represents "maximum pain." The subject marks a perpendicular line at the point they consider to represent their pain intensity. The examiner then places a millimeter ruler on the scale, assigning a numerical value to the line drawn by the patient. The VAS has proven to be a valid and reliable tool (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.71-0.99).
Measured: Change from baseline at 3 months
Secondary outcomes (5)
Disability Associated with Neck Pain
The degree of disability associated with neck pain will be measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire in its Spanish version. The NDI is a 10-item questionnaire, and each item is scored on a scale of 0 to 5 points, with a range of 0 to 50 points. The higher the score, the greater the degree of disability. The NDI has proven to be a reliable tool (ICC 0.98).
Measured: Change from baseline at 3 months
Kinesiophobia with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK-11)
The Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK-11) short version will be used to assess fear of movement. It is an 11-item scale rated on a four-point scale ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree." Scores range from 11 to 44, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement and/or (re)injury. This questionnaire has demonstrated similar properties to the original TSK scale, proving to be a valid and reliable instrument.
Measured: Change from baseline at 3 months
Catastrophizing with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)
Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). The PCS has 13 items scored from 0 to 4 and is composed of three subscales: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. The overall score ranges from 0 to 52. Higher scores indicate a greater degree of pain catastrophizing. A total score >30 represents a clinically significant level of pain catastrophizing. This questionnaire has been shown to be reliable (ICC 0.94).
Measured: Change from baseline at 3 months
Local twitch response (LTRs)
Local twitch response (LTRs). The LTRs produced by needle insertion during dry needling will be counted. LTRs are generally associated with better treatment outcomes. A higher number of LTRs indicates better results, and a lower number of LTRs indicates worse results.
Measured: Change from baseline at 3 months
Cervical joint Range
Flexion, inclination, extension and rotational movement ranges will be measured with a cervical goniometer
Measured: Change from baseline mobility at one week after intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jun 2026
- Study start8 Jun 2026
- Primary completion15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Neck PainStudies 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
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Alcala
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Prof. Dr. Daniel Pecos Martín, University of Alcala
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07629141
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CEEI22/199
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Jul 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 1 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Importance of Muscle Position in the Effectiveness of Dry Needling Technique
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07629141
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CEEI22/199
- Keywords
- dry needling, Musculoskeletal Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of AlcalaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 8 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 5 Jun 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.
Currently, no previous studies have investigated how the position of a muscle before dry needling may influence the outcome and effectiveness of the treatment.
This study aims to demonstrate whether the position of the upper trapezius muscle during dry needling treatment influences the outcome of that treatment in subjects with neck pain.
A total of 46 participants with chronic neck pain will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: a dry needling group with the muscle in a stretched position and a dry needling group with the muscle in a shortened position. A total of two treatment sessions will be performed, separated by a 7-day interval. The primary outcome measure will be the intensity of neck and head pain, measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). Other variables to be measured include the cervical disability index, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing (using a self-completion questionnaire), as well as participants' expectations and post-needling pain.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Upper trapezius dry needling with adduction shoulder | Experimental | Other: Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.The dry needling technique will be applied to the trapezius muscle while the subject lies prone, with the upper limb at the side of the body, shoulder lowered, in adduction and cervical region in a neutral position. The dry needling technique will be applied using a pincer grasp, inserting the needle from the posterior to the anterior portion of the upper trapezius muscle. |
| Upper trapezius dry needling with 90º abduction shoulder | Experimental | Other: Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.The dry needling technique will be applied to the trapezius muscle while the subject lies prone, with the upper limb separated from the body, shoulder at 90 degrees of abduction and cervical region in a neutral position. The dry needling technique will be applied using a pincer grasp, inserting the needle from the posterior to the anterior portion of the upper trapezius muscle. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Neck pain lasting more than 3 months
- Current neck pain greater than 3/10 on the VAS (Visual Analog Scale)
- Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle, meeting the following criteria: Painful point within a taut band whose palpation reproduces the patient's symptoms.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Neck pain with a medical diagnosis (fractures, arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Radicular pain (paresthesia, burning, electric shocks)
- Whiplash or any recent trauma
- Previous surgery
- Treatment by another physiotherapist within the last 3 months
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 needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction.Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain. | Other | Upper trapezius dry needling with adduction shoulder |
| Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction.Ten incisions will be made in a posteroanterior direction while the patient lies prone and the muscle is grasped with a pincer grip between the first three fingers. The technique will be applied to the area that is mechanically most hyperalgesic and related to the reproduction of the patient's pain. | Other | Upper trapezius dry needling with 90º abduction shoulder |
Primary outcome
The visual analog scale (VAS)
Time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months
Intensity of neck and head pain: This was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). It consists of a 10 cm horizontal line, where 0 cm on the left side represents "no pain" and 10 cm on the right side represents "maximum pain." The subject marks a perpendicular line at the point they consider to represent their pain intensity. The examiner then places a millimeter ruler on the scale, assigning a numerical value to the line drawn by the patient. The VAS has proven to be a valid and reliable tool (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] 0.71-0.99).
5 secondary outcomes
Disability Associated with Neck Pain
Time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months
Kinesiophobia with the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK-11)
Time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months
Catastrophizing with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)
Time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months
Local twitch response (LTRs)
Time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months
Cervical joint Range
Time frame: Change from baseline mobility at one week after intervention
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 1 Jul 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.
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry needling technique with the shoulder in full adduction. and Dry needling technique with the shoulder in 90° abduction. in people with Neck Pain and Headache, run by University of Alcala at 2 sites in Spain.
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 12 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 1 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 2 sites in Spain. 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 Daniel Pecos-Martin, PhD (34918855142, daniel.pecos@uah.es), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
The visual analog scale (VAS) (time frame: Change from baseline at 3 months). 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 1 Jul 2026.