Dry Needling of Scalene Muscle Trigger Points in Mechanical Neck Pain

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos30 enrolled

Overview

There is preliminary evidence suggesting that referred pain from active trigger points can play a relevant role in individuals with mechanical neck pain. Some studies have investigated the effectiveness of dry needling over the upper trapezius muscle in this population. However, other muscles, such as the scalene muscles, can be also relevant for neck pain symptoms. No study has investigated the effects of the application of dry needling over active trigger points in the scalenes muscles in a sample of patients with mechanical neck pain.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Dry needlingOTHER

A solid filiform needle will be inserted over active trigger points in the scalene muscles for 30 seconds. The aim will be to elicit local twitch responses or the referred pain pattern of the scalene muscles.

Manual TherapyOTHER

The therapist will apply manual compression over active trigger points in the scalene muscles for 30 seconds

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Generalized neck-shoulder pain with symptoms provoked by neck postures, neck movement, or palpation of the cervical musculature Exclusion Criteria: * whiplash injury; * previous cervical or thoracic surgery; * cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy; * diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome; * having undergone physical therapy in the previous 6 months; * less than 18 or greater than 45 years of age * fear to needles * any respiratory disease, e.g., chronic brochitis

Locations (1)

César Fernández-de-las-Peñas

Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in neck pain intensity with a numerical pain rate scale before and after the intervention

A Numerical Pain Rate Scale (NPRS, 0-10) will be used to assess spontaneous neck pain intensity

Time frame: Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in oxigen saturation with a pulse oximeter before and after the intervention

Oxygen saturation will be monitored with a handheld pulse oximeter with Masimo SET® measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion™ pulse oximeter

Time frame: Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention

Changes in inspiratory vital capacity with an incentive spirometer before and after the intervention

Changes in inspiratory vital capacity will be assessed with the incentive spirometer DHD Coach 2®

Time frame: Baseline, one day (immediately post), 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention

Changes in neck-related disability with the Neck Disability Index before and after the intervention

The Neck Disability Index (NDI, 0-50), a specific neck pain related disability questionaire, will be used for assessing neck pain related-disability

Time frame: Baseline and 7 days (one week) and 30 days (one month) after the intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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