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Cervical RadiculopathyNCT07907562

Ultrasound-Guided Electrical Dry Needling for Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy

A study testing Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling and Conventional Physical Therapy in people with Cervical Radiculopathy, run by Liberty University at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling with conventional physical therapy is more effective than conventional physical therapy alone in the following outcome measures: disability (Neck Disability Index and Upper Extremity Functional Index-20), average… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Cervical Radiculopathy
What is being tested?
Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling and Conventional Physical Therapy
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
58 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
2 Nov 2026to Dec 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 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 18 years or older
  • Symptoms greater than three months
  • Neck and unilateral arm pain
  • A positive cluster of Wainner (4/4 tests; a clinical prediction rule to rule in cervical radiculopathy)
  • Cervical spine imaging confirming nerve root involvement

Who cannot join

  • needle aversion
  • local or systemic infection
  • vascular disease
  • a compromised immune system
  • cognitive impairment
  • dyskinesia
Show all 19Show fewer
  • bleeding disorders
  • uncontrolled diabetes
  • pregnancy
  • seizure history
  • presence of a pacemaker
  • presence of other polyneuropathies
  • presence of bilateral upper extremity symptoms
  • history of cervical surgery
  • history of current diagnosis affecting the ipsilateral upper extremity
  • pending litigation
  • have had recent surgery
  • take blood thinners
  • presence of a congenital disorder affecting the cervical spine, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, or upper extremity

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Austin Granger contact

4789528730

agranger10@liberty.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Macon Rehabilitation and Performance Center

    Macon, Georgia, 31210

    Sammy Bonfim, 478-757-2255, sammy.bonfim@p4physicaltherapy.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Ultrasound-Guided Electrical Dry Needling for Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling with conventional physical therapy is more effective than conventional physical therapy alone in the following outcome measures: disability (Neck Disability Index and Upper Extremity Functional Index-20), average pain over the last 24 hours (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), paraspinal mechanosensitivity (pain-pressure threshold), cervical ipsilateral rotation range-of-motion, and medication intake.

Read the detailed description

Chronic cervical radiculopathy (CRAD) is a debilitating condition with often multi-year morbidity that may often appear recalcitrant to conservative management options, resulting in a high surgical rate and warranting further investigation of adjunct interventions in physical therapy (PT). Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling (USEDN) is postulated to reduce pain and disability by reducing inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptide expression, improving the mechanochemical environment of the paraspinals, facilitating changes ion channel expression (e.g., P2X3), and improving central inhibition. Therefore, this study proposes a single-site and single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis to assess the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling (USEDN) to the cervical multifidus and lamina as an adjunct to conventional physical therapy (CPT) versus CPT alone.

The Neck Disability Index (NDI), Upper Extremity Functional Index-20 (UEFI-20), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), pain-pressure threshold (PPT) of the cervical paraspinals, and ipsilateral cervical rotation will be measured at baseline, two weeks, and four weeks and analyzed via a 2-by-3 analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with symptom duration as the covariate. Medication intake will be measured at baseline and four weeks and analyzed via chi-square (χ²) tests.

The results of this study will contribute to a growing body of literature on perineural and periosteal dry needling for predominantly peripheral neurogenic pain syndromes.

Being tested
Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling, Conventional Physical Therapy
Keywords
cervical radiculopathy, electrical dry needling, ultrasound, physical therapy
Medical subject headings
Radiculopathy

What participants receive

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

  • Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needlingProcedure or surgery

    With ultrasound guidance using sterile gel, between 40mm and 60mm by 0.30mm diameter J-SEIRIN needles will be inserted lateral to medial at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the laminas from C5 to T1. Needles will be angled inferiorly by 10 degrees secondary to the perched nature of the cervical vertebra. Needles (n=4) will be left in situ for 30 minutes with electrical stimulation at low frequency (2 Hz) and moderate pulse duration (250 microseconds) via an ITO ES-160 at the maximum tolerable intensity. Electrical stimulation will be coupled with manual manipulation via four clockwise 360-degree turns every five minutes as tolerated.

  • Conventional Physical TherapyProcedure or surgery

    Classification of patients into high, moderate, and low severity and irritability groups will be done within the severity and irritability components of the SINSS protocol. Severity and irritability levels will be assessed at the start of each visit to guide CPT prescription. If these levels differ, then the allotted interventions will be the more conservative option. CPT will incorporate stretching, graded cervical and periscapular exercises, joint mobilization, and neural mobilization at different intensities per their respective severity and irritability.

Study groups in NCT07907562
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling with conventional physical therapyExperimentalThe participants in this group will receive 30 minutes of ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling to the cervical multifidi and lamina. The participant will then proceed to participate in conventional physical therapy (e.g., stretching, strengthening, joint mobilization, neural mobilization)
Receives: Procedure: Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling; Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy
Conventional physical therapy only groupActive comparatorParticipants in this group will only perform conventional physical therapy exercises. Prescription will be governed by the participants' reported severity and irritability within the SINSS protocol, offering a means of standardizing care across differing participant presentations.
Receives: Procedure: Conventional Physical Therapy

What is being measured

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

  1. Neck Disability, as Measured by the Neck Disability Index, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks

    The Neck Disability Index measures cervical pain and disability through 10 questions regarding pain intensity, personal care, lifting, reading, headaches, concentration, work, driving, sleeping, and recreational activity with a minimum score of 0 points (i.e., 0% disability) and a maximum score of 50 points (i.e., 100% disability). These components provide insight into perceived severity, functional independence, lifting tolerance, sustained positional tolerance, cognitive functioning, occupational functioning, sleep, and participation in personally meaningful activities.

    Measured: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Upper Extremity Disability, as Measured by the Upper Extremity Functional Index-20, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks

    The Upper Extremity Functional Index-20 was developed through analysis of patient responses on existing questionnaires, namely the Patient Specific Functional Scale. It measures upper extremity functional capacity through a 20-item questionnaire with a maximum score of 80 (i.e., 0% disability) and a minimum score of 0 (i.e., 100% disability). Components include perceived disability related to lifting, reaching, carrying, dressing, household-level activities, and occupational participation related specifically to upper extremity problems

    Measured: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks

  2. Pain Over the Last 24 Hours, as Measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks

    The NPRS offers a subjective report on pain and is scaled from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain imaginable). This measure captures the patients' subjective report of pain intensity over the last 24 hours.

    Measured: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks

  3. Cervical Paraspinal Pain Pressure Threshold, as Measured by a Pain-Pressure Algometer, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks

    A pain-pressure algometer will be used to measure pain-pressure threshold: the minimum amount of pressure used to produce pain. This study will use a Wagner FPX 50 that was calibrated on February 11, 2025, with an accuracy of plus or minus 0.3% of full scale.

    Measured: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks

  4. Cervical Ipsilateral Rotation Active Range of Motion, as Measured by Universal Goniometry, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks

    Ipsilateral cervical spine rotation will be measured via universal goniometry with the patient seated, the axis of rotation at the center of the cranial aspect of the head, the stationary arm aligned with an imaginary line between the two acromions, and the movement arm aligned with the tip of the nose.

    Measured: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks

  5. Cervical Radiculopathy Medication Intake, via Paper Format that Categorizes Intake Frequency, from Baseline to Four Weeks

    This research categorizes medication intake into five options: (1) = not at all, (2) once a week, (3) once every couple of days, (4) once or twice a day, and (5) three or more times a day. Participants will report only the medications that they are taking specific for their cervical radiculopathy symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline and four weeks.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted30 Oct 2026
  2. Study start2 Nov 2026
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionDec 2027 (estimated)

Resources

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
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
58 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07907562
Sponsor's protocol ID
IRB-FY26-27-388
Status last verified
Nov 2026
First submitted
24 Oct 2026
Last updated
4 Nov 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the published results, along with the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, will be available immediately after publication and for 3 years via Microsoft Excel.

Publications

  • Perreault T, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Cummings M, Gendron BC. Needling Interventions for Sciatica: Choosing Methods Based on Neuropathic Pain Mechanisms-A Scoping Review. J Clin Med. 2021 May 19;10(10):2189. doi: 10.3390/jcm10102189.

    PubMed 34069357
  • Deer TR, Eldabe S, Falowski SM, Huntoon MA, Staats PS, Cassar IR, Crosby ND, Boggs JW. Peripherally Induced Reconditioning of the Central Nervous System: A Proposed Mechanistic Theory for Sustained Relief of Chronic Pain with Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation. J Pain Res. 2021 Mar 12;14:721-736. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S297091. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 33737830
  • Granger A, Dunning J, Young I. Perineural Electrical Dry Needling and Neural Mobilization for Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Case Report. J Clin Med. 2025 Mar 28;14(7):2318. doi: 10.3390/jcm14072318.

    PubMed 40217767
  • Young I, Dunning J, Butts R, Bliton P, Zacharko N, Garcia J, Mourad F, Charlebois C, Gorby P, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Spinal manipulation and electrical dry needling as an adjunct to conventional physical therapy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. Spine J. 2024 Apr;24(4):590-600. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.12.002. Epub 2023 Dec 14.

    PubMed 38103739
  • Dunning J, Butts R, Zacharko N, Fandry K, Young I, Wheeler K, Day J, Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C. Spinal manipulation and perineural electrical dry needling in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multicenter randomized clinical trial. Spine J. 2021 Feb;21(2):284-295. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.10.008. Epub 2020 Oct 13.

    PubMed 33065273

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling and Conventional Physical Therapy in people with Cervical Radiculopathy, run by Liberty University at 1 site in United States.

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 5 inclusion and 19 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 4 Nov 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 United States. 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 Austin Granger (4789528730, agranger10@liberty.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Neck Disability, as Measured by the Neck Disability Index, from Baseline to Two and Four Weeks (time frame: Baseline, two weeks, and four weeks). 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 NCT07907562, 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 4 Nov 2026.

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