Dry Needling of Scalene Muscle Trigger Points in Mechanical Neck Pain

Neck Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effects of Dry Needling of Active Trigger Points in the Scalene Muscles on Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03762252
• Other study ID #: URJC 2018-12-10
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: December 5, 2018
• Est. completion date: July 1, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: July 2019
• Source: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

There is preliminary evidence suggesting that referred pain from active trigger points can play a relevant role in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Some studies have investigated the effectiveness of dry needling over the upper trapezius muscle in this population. However, other muscles, such as the scalene muscles, can be also relevant for neck pain symptoms. No study has investigated the effects of the application of dry needling over active trigger points in the scalenes muscles in a sample of patients with mechanical neck pain.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: July 1, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: May 15, 2019
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 45 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

Generalized neck-shoulder pain with symptoms provoked by neck postures, neck movement, or palpation of the cervical musculature

Exclusion Criteria:

• whiplash injury;

• previous cervical or thoracic surgery;

• cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy;

• diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome;

• having undergone physical therapy in the previous 6 months;

• less than 18 or greater than 45 years of age

• fear to needles

• any respiratory disease, e.g., chronic brochitis

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Neck Pain

Intervention

Other:
• Dry needling
A solid filiform needle will be inserted over active trigger points in the scalene muscles for 30 seconds. The aim will be to elicit local twitch responses or the referred pain pattern of the scalene muscles.
• Manual Therapy
The therapist will apply manual compression over active trigger points in the scalene muscles for 30 seconds

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Spain	César Fernández-de-las-Peñas	Alcorcón	Madrid

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Spain, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Changes in neck pain intensity with a numerical pain rate scale before and after the intervention	A Numerical Pain Rate Scale (NPRS, 0-10) will be used to assess spontaneous neck pain intensity	Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention
Secondary	Changes in oxigen saturation with a pulse oximeter before and after the intervention	Oxygen saturation will be monitored with a handheld pulse oximeter with Masimo SET® measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion™ pulse oximeter	Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention
Secondary	Changes in inspiratory vital capacity with an incentive spirometer before and after the intervention	Changes in inspiratory vital capacity will be assessed with the incentive spirometer DHD Coach 2®	Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention
Secondary	Changes in neck-related disability with the Neck Disability Index before and after the intervention	The Neck Disability Index (NDI, 0-50), a specific neck pain related disability questionaire, will be used for assessing neck pain related-disability	Baseline and 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention