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Comparative Analysis of Dry Needling Techniques for Orofacial Myofascial Pain

21 de julho de 2026 atualizado 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.

Visão geral do estudo

Status

Ainda não está recrutando

Condições

Intervenção / Tratamento

Tipo de estudo

Intervencional

Inscrição (Estimado)

45

Estágio

  • Não aplicável

Contactos e Locais

Esta seção fornece os detalhes de contato para aqueles que conduzem o estudo e informações sobre onde este estudo está sendo realizado.

Contato de estudo

Locais de estudo

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

Critérios de participação

Os pesquisadores procuram pessoas que se encaixem em uma determinada descrição, chamada de critérios de elegibilidade. Alguns exemplos desses critérios são a condição geral de saúde de uma pessoa ou tratamentos anteriores.

Critérios de elegibilidade

Idades elegíveis para estudo

  • Adulto
  • Adulto mais velho

Aceita Voluntários Saudáveis

Sim

Descrição

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

Plano de estudo

Esta seção fornece detalhes do plano de estudo, incluindo como o estudo é projetado e o que o estudo está medindo.

Como o estudo é projetado?

Detalhes do projeto

  • Finalidade Principal: Tratamento
  • Alocação: Randomizado
  • Modelo Intervencional: Atribuição Paralela
  • Mascaramento: Dobro

Armas e Intervenções

Grupo de Participantes / Braço
Intervenção / Tratamento
Comparador Ativo: 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 Ativo: 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 Ativo: 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.

O que o estudo está medindo?

Medidas de resultados primários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Change from Baseline in Self-Reported Orofacial Pain Intensity
Prazo: 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 resultados secundários

Medida de resultado
Descrição da medida
Prazo
Change from Baseline in Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
Prazo: 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
Prazo: 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

É aqui que você encontrará pessoas e organizações envolvidas com este estudo.

Patrocinador

Datas de registro do estudo

Essas datas acompanham o progresso do registro do estudo e os envios de resumo dos resultados para ClinicalTrials.gov. Os registros do estudo e os resultados relatados são revisados ​​pela National Library of Medicine (NLM) para garantir que atendam aos padrões específicos de controle de qualidade antes de serem publicados no site público.

Datas Principais do Estudo

Início do estudo (Estimado)

1 de agosto de 2026

Conclusão Primária (Estimado)

1 de dezembro de 2026

Conclusão do estudo (Estimado)

1 de abril de 2027

Datas de inscrição no estudo

Enviado pela primeira vez

9 de julho de 2026

Enviado pela primeira vez que atendeu aos critérios de CQ

9 de julho de 2026

Primeira postagem (Real)

15 de julho de 2026

Atualizações de registro de estudo

Última Atualização Postada (Real)

23 de julho de 2026

Última atualização enviada que atendeu aos critérios de controle de qualidade

21 de julho de 2026

Última verificação

1 de julho de 2026

Mais Informações

Termos relacionados a este estudo

Outros números de identificação do estudo

  • NEC 02

Plano para dados de participantes individuais (IPD)

Planeja compartilhar dados de participantes individuais (IPD)?

INDECISO

Descrição do plano IPD

I will analyze any request and will decide later

Informações sobre medicamentos e dispositivos, documentos de estudo

Estuda um medicamento regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

Estuda um produto de dispositivo regulamentado pela FDA dos EUA

Não

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