Could a simple sugar injection ease stubborn muscle pain?
NCT ID NCT05429827
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether injecting dextrose (sugar water) into painful muscle knots, called myofascial trigger points, can reduce pain. Adults with trigger point pain in the upper back and neck are randomly assigned to receive an injection of normal saline, 5% dextrose, or 15% dextrose. Researchers measure pain levels and muscle changes before the injection and up to one month after to see if dextrose offers any benefit over a placebo.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dextrose (sugar water) injections at 5% and 15% concentrations
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost injection treatment for muscle pain caused by trigger points.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 23 people, so results may not apply widely. The effect may be no better than a placebo (saltwater injection).
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Department of physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Tainan, 704, Taiwan
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