Treatment of Upper Trapezius Muscle Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Treatment of Upper Trapezius Muscle Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Comparison of Ultrasound- Guided Dry Needling Techniques

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of superficial and deep dry needling techniques, guided by ultrasound, on pain, disability, functional impairment, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Deep Fascia Dry needling Technique; Other: Intramuscular Trigger Point Dry Needling Technique

Detailed Description

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MAS) is a common condition encountered in the daily practice of musculoskeletal medicine. Dry needling is a commonly used technique by clinicians in the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Dry needling can be classified into two main categories based on the depth of needle insertion: superficial and deep dry needling. Dry needling can be performed using either manual palpation techniques or ultrasonographic imaging. Ultrasound allows for more precise needle placement. It must be recognized that the depth of needling (superficial insertion vs. deep insertion) varies for every structure and that without ultrasound guidance, differentiation between needling into the superficial fascia and beyond the deep fascia maybe difficult. In clinical settings, using ultrasound can help visualize the different layers and guide the needle to the appropriate depth. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of deep fascia and intramuscular trigger point dry needling techniques, guided by ultrasound, on pain, disability, functional impairment, and quality of life in patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius muscle.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Bolu, Turkey (Türkiye), 14100
    • Abant Izzet Baysal University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of MPS in the upper trapezius muscle in accordance with criteria defined by Travell and Simons
2. Ages between 20 and 50 years
3. No treatment, including injections, dry needling, and physical methods, applied to the cervical region in the last three months

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Bleeding Tendency
2. History of Neck and Shoulder Trauma
3. Other Conditions Affecting Neck and Shoulder Pain: including malignancy, infection, rheumatic diseases, degenerative joint disease, fibromyalgia, cervical radiculopathy, neuropathy, myelopathy, myopathy, adhesive capsulitis, etc.
4. Cases Where Evaluation Could Not Be Completed for Any Reason
5. Patients Who Refuse to Complete the Evaluations

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Deep fascia dry needling technique	Other: Deep Fascia Dry needling Technique; "Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating subcutaneously to the deep fascia. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."
Active Comparator: İntramuscular trigger point dry needling technique	Other: Intramuscular Trigger Point Dry Needling Technique; "Participants will undergo a single session of dry needling on the painful area of the upper trapezius muscle on the right and/or left side of the neck, either unilaterally or bilaterally. All participants will be positioned upright in a chair with their backs supported, heads in a neutral position, and arms at their sides. A myofascial trigger point on the upper trapezius muscle will be marked. A sterile acupuncture needle, 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length, will be used. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be inserted at three points, including 1 cm lateral and medial to the marked point, penetrating through the deep fascia into the upper trapezius muscle. After leaving the needle in place for 5 minutes, it will be rotated clockwise and left in place for an additional 5 minutes. The needles will be removed after a total of 10 minutes. Participants will be advised to perform upper trapezius stretching exercises."

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Numerical Pain Rating Scale	It is used to measure pain. The numerical scale for perceived pain intensity usually includes 11 numbers. The participant selects the number that best reflects their pain. In our study, participants were informed that '0' indicates no pain and '10' represents pain of unbearable intensity.	Before treatment
The Numerical Pain Rating Scale	It is used to measure pain. The numerical scale for perceived pain intensity usually includes 11 numbers. The participant selects the number that best reflects their pain. In our study, participants were informed that '0' indicates no pain and '10' represents pain of unbearable intensity.	1 week after treatment
Pressure Pain Threshold	A pressure algometer (dolorimeter) is a device used for assessing pain sensitivity and measuring pressure perception. It has been proven useful in evaluating trigger points, arthritis activation, and visceral pain-pressure sensitivity. The pressure algometer consists of a metal piston with a rubber disc at the end, which has a 1 cm² surface, and is connected to a gauge that measures pressure in kilograms of force (kgf). In our study, a manual algometer (Baseline® Dolorimeter, Fabrication Enterprises, Inc, NY, USA) was used. The algometric measurement will be performed three times on the most painful point as reported by the patient and detected by palpation. The average of these three measurements will be included in the evaluation.	Before treatment
Pressure Pain Threshold	A pressure algometer (dolorimeter) is a device used for assessing pain sensitivity and measuring pressure perception. It has been proven useful in evaluating trigger points, arthritis activation, and visceral pain-pressure sensitivity. The pressure algometer consists of a metal piston with a rubber disc at the end, which has a 1 cm² surface, and is connected to a gauge that measures pressure in kilograms of force (kgf). In our study, a manual algometer (Baseline® Dolorimeter, Fabrication Enterprises, Inc, NY, USA) was used. The algometric measurement will be performed three times on the most painful point as reported by the patient and detected by palpation. The average of these three measurements will be included in the evaluation.	1 week after treatment
Neck disability index	The Neck Disability Index (NDI) Turkish version was used for assessing patients' disability. This index is a scale consisting of 10 questions used to evaluate how and to what extent neck pain affects the patient's daily living activities. The scale includes parameters such as pain intensity, self-care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, driving, sleep, and social activities. Patients were asked to mark the option that best applies to them from the 6 choices provided for each parameter. Each item is scored from 0 (no disability) to 5 (complete disability). The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 50 (total disability). After obtaining the total score, the value calculated according to the formula is expressed as a percentage of impairment. As the score increases, disability increases; as the score decreases, disability decreases.	Before treatment
Neck disability index	The Neck Disability Index (NDI) Turkish version was used for assessing patients' disability. This index is a scale consisting of 10 questions used to evaluate how and to what extent neck pain affects the patient's daily living activities. The scale includes parameters such as pain intensity, self-care, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, driving, sleep, and social activities. Patients were asked to mark the option that best applies to them from the 6 choices provided for each parameter. Each item is scored from 0 (no disability) to 5 (complete disability). The total score ranges from 0 (no disability) to 50 (total disability). After obtaining the total score, the value calculated according to the formula is expressed as a percentage of impairment. As the score increases, disability increases; as the score decreases, disability decreases.	1 week after treatment
Neck bournemouth questionnaire	Adapted from the Bournemouth Low Back Pain Questionnaire developed by Bolton and Humphreys in 2002, this questionnaire includes variables that must be assessed in individuals with neck pain. The content of the questionnaire covers pain intensity, the impact of pain on daily living activities and social life, anxiety and depression levels, kinesiophobia, and pain coping strategies. Each of the 7 questions is scored from 0 to 10. The highest possible score is 70, with a higher score indicating a higher level of disability.	Before treatment
Neck bournemouth questionnaire	Adapted from the Bournemouth Low Back Pain Questionnaire developed by Bolton and Humphreys in 2002, this questionnaire includes variables that must be assessed in individuals with neck pain. The content of the questionnaire covers pain intensity, the impact of pain on daily living activities and social life, anxiety and depression levels, kinesiophobia, and pain coping strategies. Each of the 7 questions is scored from 0 to 10. The highest possible score is 70, with a higher score indicating a higher level of disability.	1 week after treatment
Joint range of Motion Measurement	Joint range of motion is measured using a goniometric protractor with the Neutral-0 Method. While the person sits upright in a chair, the goniometer is used to measure the range of motion of the neck in the directions of flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.	Before treatment
Joint range of Motion Measurement	Joint range of motion is measured using a goniometric protractor with the Neutral-0 Method. While the person sits upright in a chair, the goniometer is used to measure the range of motion of the neck in the directions of flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation.	1 week after treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Advers event	Follow-up will include assessment of pain-burning sensation, nausea, dizziness, and pain experienced during the procedure.	1 week after treatment
Cutaneous and subcutaneous thickness	Cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue thickness will be measured with ultrasound at the site of the trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle.	Before treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Abant Izzet Baysal University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 11, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): April 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 7, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 7, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): August 9, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Other Study ID Numbers: AIBU-FTR-SK-07

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No