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Could a tiny electric boost make dry needling more powerful for neck pain?

NCT ID NCT07775144

Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Faisalabad Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed This study
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Aug 20, 2026 · Last updated Aug 21, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial asks whether adding a mild electrical current to dry needling improves outcomes for people with neck pain caused by muscle knots, known as myofascial trigger points. Adults aged 18 to 60 with neck pain lasting at least three weeks will receive either standard dry needling or electrical dry needling once a week for six weeks. Researchers will measure changes in pain intensity, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress), and fear of movement to see if the electrical version offers extra benefit.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
Dry needling (with or without electrical stimulation)
What this could lead to
If electrical dry needling proves superior, it could offer a more effective, non-drug option for easing neck pain and the stress and fear of movement that often come with it.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial, so results may not apply to everyone. Both procedures involve needles and can cause temporary soreness or bruising.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

34 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Apr 2026

Finished

Aug 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 60 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18-60 years of either gender. * Neck pain duration ≥ 3 weeks. * Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, SCM, splenius capitis, or scalenes, confirmed using Travell and Simons' criteria. * Pain intensity ≥ 4 on NPRS (0-10) at baseline. * Ability to understand and complete questionnaires. * Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * History of cervical spine trauma, fracture, or surgery. * Diagnosis of neurological deficits. * Systemic diseases affecting muscles or joints. * Use of anticoagulant therapy or bleeding disorders. * Pregnancy or lactation. * Active infection or skin lesions in the cervical region. * Previous dry needling or electrical dry needling treatment in the past 6 months. * Allergy to needles or local anesthetics if used.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Kinesiophobia myofascial pain syndrome Neck Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Myofascial pain syndrome - neck Neck pain Trigger point pain

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The University of Faisalabad

    Faisalābad, Punjab Province, Pakistan

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