Botox vs. painkiller: which eases muscle pain better?
NCT ID NCT06899438
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed study tested whether botulinum toxin type-A injections relieve pain from myofascial pain syndrome better than a standard local anesthetic (prilocaine). Thirty-eight adults with long-term muscle pain were randomly assigned to receive either botulinum toxin or prilocaine injections into their trigger points. Pain levels were measured before treatment and at 2 and 6 weeks after using standard pain scales.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- botulinum toxin type-A injection
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a longer-lasting pain relief option for people with myofascial pain syndrome.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 38 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Botulinum toxin injections can cause temporary muscle weakness 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
-
38 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2009
- Finished
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Jan 2010
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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20 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 20 years Presence of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) symptoms for more than 3 months Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Any injection to trigger points within the last 2 months Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome Presence of significant respiratory or cardiovascular disease Presence of psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study participation History of shoulder or cervical spine intervention within the last year Presence of cervical myelopathy or cervical radiculopathy Inability to cooperate with study procedures or assessments
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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.
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