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Comparative Analysis of Dry Needling Techniques for Orofacial Myofascial Pain

21 juli 2026 bijgewerkt door: 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.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Nog niet aan het werven

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Geschat)

45

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studiecontact

Studie Locaties

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

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Volwassen
  • Oudere volwassene

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Ja

Beschrijving

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

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Parallelle opdracht
  • Masker: Dubbele

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Actieve vergelijker: 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.
Procedure: Dry needling

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.
Actieve vergelijker: 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.
Procedure: Dry needling

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.
Actieve vergelijker: 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).
Procedure: Dry needling

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.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change from Baseline in Self-Reported Orofacial Pain Intensity
Tijdsspanne: 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).

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Change from Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Tijdsspanne: 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
Tijdsspanne: 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).

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Flávio Magno Gonçalves

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Geschat)

1 augustus 2026

Primaire voltooiing (Geschat)

1 december 2026

Studie voltooiing (Geschat)

1 april 2027

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

9 juli 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

9 juli 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

15 juli 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

23 juli 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

21 juli 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 juli 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Aanvullende relevante MeSH-voorwaarden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • NEC 02

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

ONBESLIST

Beschrijving IPD-plan

I will analyze any request and will decide later

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

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