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Comparative Analysis of Dry Needling Techniques for Orofacial Myofascial Pain

21 de julio de 2026 actualizado por: Flávio Magno Gonçalves

Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness and Comfort of Different Dry Needling Techniques in the Treatment of Orofacial Myofascial Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aims to compare the clinical effectiveness and individual comfort of three distinct dry needling techniques (dynamic, static, and hybrid) for managing orofacial myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is a highly prevalent manifestation of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), characterized by painful trigger points in the masticatory muscles, such as the masseter and temporalis, which cause pain, muscle tenderness, and jaw movement limitations. While dry needling is widely recognized as an effective minimally invasive therapy to deactivate these trigger points, there is still a lack of consensus in scientific literature regarding the standardization of application protocols.

To address this gap, this randomized, triple-blind, parallel-group clinical trial will enroll 45 individuals diagnosed with myofascial pain according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Participants will be randomly allocated into three equal groups (15 individuals per group): Group 1 will receive dynamic dry needling (fanning technique); Group 2 will receive static dry needling (needle kept in situ for 10 minutes); and Group 3 will receive a hybrid approach (combining an initial static period followed by dynamic manipulation).

The primary outcome will evaluate changes in self-reported pain intensity using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) from baseline to 7 days post-intervention. Secondary outcomes will assess changes in pressure pain thresholds (PPT) via digital algometry, mandibular range of motion via digital caliper measurements, and the subjective perception of comfort and acceptability of each technique. Evaluations will be conducted at baseline, immediately post-intervention, at 7 days, and at 15 days of follow-up. The findings are expected to contribute to the standardization of more effective and comfortable clinical protocols for managing orofacial pain.

Descripción general del estudio

Estado

Aún no reclutando

Condiciones

Intervención / Tratamiento

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

45

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

  • Nombre: Flávio Magno Gonçalves, Professor
  • Número de teléfono: 55 (42) 98816-7711
  • Correo electrónico: flaviomagno93@yahoo.com.br

Ubicaciones de estudio

    • Paraná
      • Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil, 80430140
        • Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of the Temporomandibular Joint, Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (CDATM-UTP)
        • Contacto:

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto
  • Adulto Mayor

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

Sí

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Clinical diagnosis of Myofascial Pain (with or without referred pain) in the masseter and/or temporalis muscles according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I
  • Presence of at least one active trigger point in a taut band reproducing the chief complaint
  • Baseline pain intensity ≥ 2 on the VAS in the last two weeks
  • Confirmed pressure pain threshold (PPT ≤ 1.5 kg/cm²)
  • Signed informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

  • TMD treatment in the last 3 months (physical therapy, needling, laser therapy) or Botulinum Toxin injection in the orofacial region within 12 months
  • Continuous systemic use of analgesics, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants
  • Diagnosis of fibromyalgia, systemic rheumatic diseases, neurological disorders, or neuropathic pain
  • Needle phobia (belonephobia), coagulation disorders, or use of anticoagulant drugs
  • Active skin or odontogenic infections in the application area
  • History of recent facial trauma or orthognathic/joint surgery
  • Pregnancy

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
  • Enmascaramiento: Doble

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Comparador activo: Dynamic Dry Needling
Individuals will receive fast-in and fast-out needle manipulation (Hong's technique) in a fanning shape inside the trigger point of the masseter and/or temporalis muscles. The procedure continues until local twitch responses cease or the individual's tolerance limit is reached.

Dry needling therapy targeted at active myofascial trigger points in masseter and temporalis muscles. Sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles (0.25x25mm or 0.25x30mm) will be used based on muscle depth. Procedures will be performed by a single operator with the individual in a supine position, following strict 70% alcohol antisepsis.

Mechanical manipulation follows three randomized protocols:

  • Dynamic: Fast-in and fast-out needle manipulation (Hong's technique) in a fanning shape until local twitch responses cease or tolerance limit is reached.
  • Static: Direct insertion into the trigger point, remaining completely static in situ for 10 minutes without further stimulation.
  • Hybrid: Direct needle insertion kept static for 5 minutes for initial desensitization, followed by a brief period of dynamic fanning manipulation.
Comparador activo: Static Dry Needling
The needle will be inserted directly into the core of the active trigger point in the masseter and/or temporalis muscles and will remain completely static in situ for 10 minutes, focusing on neurophysiological modulation without further mechanical stimulation.

Dry needling therapy targeted at active myofascial trigger points in masseter and temporalis muscles. Sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles (0.25x25mm or 0.25x30mm) will be used based on muscle depth. Procedures will be performed by a single operator with the individual in a supine position, following strict 70% alcohol antisepsis.

Mechanical manipulation follows three randomized protocols:

  • Dynamic: Fast-in and fast-out needle manipulation (Hong's technique) in a fanning shape until local twitch responses cease or tolerance limit is reached.
  • Static: Direct insertion into the trigger point, remaining completely static in situ for 10 minutes without further stimulation.
  • Hybrid: Direct needle insertion kept static for 5 minutes for initial desensitization, followed by a brief period of dynamic fanning manipulation.
Comparador activo: Hybrid Dry Needling
A combination protocol where the needle is inserted into the trigger point and kept static for 5 minutes for initial desensitization, followed by a brief period of dynamic fanning manipulation (fast-in and fast-out).

Dry needling therapy targeted at active myofascial trigger points in masseter and temporalis muscles. Sterile, disposable, stainless steel needles (0.25x25mm or 0.25x30mm) will be used based on muscle depth. Procedures will be performed by a single operator with the individual in a supine position, following strict 70% alcohol antisepsis.

Mechanical manipulation follows three randomized protocols:

  • Dynamic: Fast-in and fast-out needle manipulation (Hong's technique) in a fanning shape until local twitch responses cease or tolerance limit is reached.
  • Static: Direct insertion into the trigger point, remaining completely static in situ for 10 minutes without further stimulation.
  • Hybrid: Direct needle insertion kept static for 5 minutes for initial desensitization, followed by a brief period of dynamic fanning manipulation.

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change from Baseline in Self-Reported Orofacial Pain Intensity
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (T0) and 7 days post-intervention (T2). (This is the primary endpoint to identify mid-term clinical relevance).
Evaluated using a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS), where 0 mm indicates "no pain" and 100 mm indicates the "worst imaginable pain". The individual marks their current pain perception on the scale. The score is determined by measuring the distance from the left anchor to the individual's mark.
Baseline (T0) and 7 days post-intervention (T2). (This is the primary endpoint to identify mid-term clinical relevance).

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Change from Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (T0), 7 days post-intervention (T2), and 15 days post-intervention (T3).
Measured using a calibrated digital pressure algometer equipped with a 1 cm² rubber tip applied perpendicularly over the active trigger point. Pressure increases constantly at a rate of 1.5 kg/cm²/second until the individual reports that the pressure sensation turns into pain. Higher values (in kg/cm²) indicate lower mechanical pain sensitivity.
Baseline (T0), 7 days post-intervention (T2), and 15 days post-intervention (T3).
Change from Baseline in Mandibular Range of Motion
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline (T0), 7 days post-intervention (T2), and 15 days post-intervention (T3).
Functional assessment measuring maximum functional mouth opening, maximum assisted mouth opening, protrusion, and lateralities (all in millimeters) using a high-precision digital caliper.
Baseline (T0), 7 days post-intervention (T2), and 15 days post-intervention (T3).

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

1 de agosto de 2026

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

1 de diciembre de 2026

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

1 de abril de 2027

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

9 de julio de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

9 de julio de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

15 de julio de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

23 de julio de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

21 de julio de 2026

Última verificación

1 de julio de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Otros números de identificación del estudio

  • NEC 02

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

INDECISO

Descripción del plan IPD

I will analyze any request and will decide later

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .