Dry Needling, Manual Therapy and Exercise for Neck Pain Management

Last updated: June 30, 2025
Sponsor: Camilo Jose Cela University
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Neck Pain

Chronic Pain

Treatment

Therapeutic Exercise

Manual Therapy

Sham Dry Needling

Clinical Study ID

NCT05607459
PhD-MML
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Since neck pain is the fourth highest disabling condition (with an estimated point prevalence of 20%, lifetime prevalence up to 70% and high recurrence rates), dry needling targeting myofascial trigger points in neck muscles has been proposed as an effective treatment for reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain.

A recent meta-analysis reported whether dry needling could be recommended for this population. Low to moderate evidence suggests that dry needling can be effective at the short-term, but its effects on pressure pain sensitivity or cervical range of motion are limited.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • To be between 18 and 65 years old

  • To have been experiencing unilateral neck pain for at least 3 months

  • To have a Neck Disability Index (NDI) score >8

  • To have a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score >3

  • To have at least one active MTrP located in the upper trapezius or cervicalmultifidus muscles

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of whiplash injury

  • Previous cervical surgery

  • Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy

  • Diagnosis of fibromyalgia

  • Additional analgesic treatments during the study (e.g. physiotherapy or drugs)

  • Psychiatric disorders

  • Any contraindication to the interventions proposed (e.g. fear of needles oranticoagulants)

Study Design

Total Participants: 40
Treatment Group(s): 4
Primary Treatment: Therapeutic Exercise
Phase:
Study Start date:
November 01, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
March 30, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • Juan Antonio Valera-Calero

    Alcorcón, Madrid 28922
    Spain

    Site Not Available

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