NCT07192497

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Acupressure Therapy Among Patients With Cervicogenic Headache

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (actual)
• Sponsor: National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH). This study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. The trial design includes: * Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned into four study groups. * Blinding: A single-blind approach will be used, where participants are unaware of their group allocation, while the researchers administering the intervention will be aware. * Follow-up Period: Pre-assessment at baseline, post-intervention assessment, and 2-week follow-up. * Data Analysis: Standardized assessment tools will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention.

Detailed description

Study Duration Total Duration: 1 year Intervention Period: 2 weeks Follow-Up: Pre-test, post-test, and 2-week follow-up Intervention Procedures 1. Group A (Dry Needling Therapy - DN) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Needling sites: Myofascial trigger points in cervical muscles * Session duration: 20-30 minutes * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (5 minutes) 2. Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes) 3. Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * Both DN and AT applied in sequence * Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes) 4. Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy) * 06 sessions over 2 weeks * 15-minute heat therapy per session * No active intervention

Conditions

• Cervicogenic Headache

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	DRY NEEDLING	Myofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles .
OTHER	Acupressure	Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles
OTHER	Dry needling and Acupressure therapy	combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points
OTHER	Hot Pack	Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-10
• Primary completion: 2025-06-30
• Completion: 2025-07-14
• First posted: 2025-09-25
• Last updated: 2025-09-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan