Shockwave or needles? new study pits two pain treatments Head-to-Head
NCT ID NCT07397039
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two treatments for myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle: focused shockwave therapy and dry needling. Fifty-three adults with chronic shoulder pain received either three weekly shockwave sessions or dry needling. Researchers measured pain levels and neck function to see which approach works better.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy and dry needling
- What this could lead to
- If one treatment proves better, it could offer a more effective, non-invasive option for easing chronic muscle pain in the neck and shoulders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 53 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both treatments are generally safe but may cause temporary soreness or bruising.
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
Locations
-
Ramathibodi Hospital
Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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