Deep heat or needles? new study seeks best quick fix for back pain
NCT ID NCT05422040
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two treatments for chronic low back pain: diathermy (a deep heating therapy) and dry needling (inserting thin needles into tight muscles). Sixty adults with pain lasting over 6 weeks will receive two sessions of one treatment. Researchers will check pain, disability, and fear of movement at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months to see which works better in the short term.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
diathermy (deep heat therapy) and dry needling (fine needles into muscle)
What this could lead to
If diathermy works better, it could offer a new, non-invasive option for quick pain relief in chronic low back pain.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial with only 60 people and two treatment sessions, so results may not apply widely. Both treatments are generally safe but can cause temporary soreness.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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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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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Centro Investigación Fisioterapia y Dolor
RECRUITINGAlcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28805, Spain
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••