Could a blood injection ease your stubborn neck pain?

NCT ID NCT07119255

Symptom relief Sponsor: Indonesia University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether injecting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into acupuncture points can reduce chronic neck pain caused by muscle strain. 72 adults with neck pain lasting over 3 months will receive either PRP or a placebo (salt water) injection. Researchers will measure pain levels and blood markers over 8 weeks to see if PRP helps more than placebo.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, natural treatment option for chronic neck pain that avoids drugs or surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 72 participants. The placebo effect is strong for pain treatments, so PRP may not prove more effective than a sham injection.

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

About 72 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Sep 2025

Expected to finish

Aug 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

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 59 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: * Male or female, aged 18 to 59 years. * Experiencing neck pain for more than 3 months (chronic). * Neck pain classified as Grade I to III according to the Neck Pain Task Force classification. * Presence of referred pain pattern on physical examination consistent with the distribution of the upper trapezius muscle. * Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score between 30 and 70 mm (out of 100 mm) during activity (e.g., daily activities or light exercise). * Willing to participate in the study until completion and has signed the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Hemoglobin level \<13 g/dL for males or \<12 g/dL for females. * Platelet count \<150,000/μL. * Presence of fever (≥37.5°C). * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia. * Structural abnormalities of the cervical spine other than degenerative changes, such as fractures, cervical spine injuries, space-occupying lesions (SOL), infections, neoplasms, or systemic diseases confirmed by radiographic imaging. * History of cervical spine surgery. * Presence of tumors, wounds, or skin infections at the needle insertion site. * Diagnosed with blood disorders or currently taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. * History of hypersensitivity reactions to acupuncture (e.g., metal allergy, severe atopy, keloids, or other skin hypersensitivities). * Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. * History of pharmacopuncture therapy to the upper trapezius muscle within the past 6 months. * Use of anti-inflammatory medication within the past 2 weeks. * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Myofascial pain syndrome are added.

Vår säkerhetsrekommendation!

Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

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 pain

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Could a blood injection ease your stubborn neck pain?

What the study statuses mean