NCT07345793

Effects of Minimally Invasive Techniques in Healthy and Chronic Cervical Pain Individuals

Mmediate and Short-Term Effects of Dry Needling, Percutaneous Neuromodulation, and Percutaneous Electrolysis on Muscle Tone and Pain: A Two-Phase Randomized Experimental Study in Healthy Subjects and Patients With Chronic Neck Pain.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universidad Europea de Madrid · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Brief Summary: This project consists of two sequential experimental phases designed to analyze the immediate and 24-hour effects of three invasive physiotherapy techniques -dry needling (DN), percutaneous neuromodulation (PENS), and percutaneous electrolysis (EPE)- on muscle tone and pain perception. In the first phase, the study will be conducted on healthy volunteers to assess the physiological responses and safety profile of the interventions under controlled conditions. Each participant will receive one of the three randomly assigned interventions (DN, PENS, or EPE), applied to the upper trapezius muscle. Pain perception (Visual Analog Scale, VAS) and muscle mechanical properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) will be measured before and after the intervention, and after 24 hours, using the MyotonPRO device. In the second phase, the same protocol and parameters will be applied to patients with chronic neck pain, in order to compare the magnitude and persistence of the effects between healthy subjects and symptomatic individuals. This study aims to improve understanding of the short-term physiological mechanisms of invasive physiotherapy techniques and their relative effectiveness in managing chronic neck pain. The findings will contribute to the development of more precise and evidence-based treatment protocols for musculoskeletal pain.

Conditions

• Chronic Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Dry needling	Dry needling will be performed on the upper trapezius muscle at an active myofascial trigger point. A sterile, single-use solid filament needle (0.30 × 40 mm) will be inserted until eliciting three local twitch responses (LTRs). The needle will then be withdrawn immediately after obtaining the final response. The technique aims to normalize motor endplate activity and reduce local and referred pain through mechanical and neurophysiological modulation.
PROCEDURE	Percutaneous nerve stimulation	Percutaneous neuromodulation will be applied using a sterile acupuncture needle (0.30 × 40 mm) inserted near the accessory nerve pathway in the upper trapezius region. A low-frequency alternating current (10 Hz, 250 μs pulse width) will be delivered for 15 minutes using an electrotherapy device approved for clinical use. The objective is to modulate neuromuscular excitability and decrease pain perception through peripheral and central mechanisms.
PROCEDURE	Percutaneous electrolysis	Percutaneous electrolysis will be performed by inserting a sterile acupuncture needle (0.30 × 40 mm) into the active myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius. A galvanic current of 1 mA will be applied for three impacts of 5 seconds each using an approved electrolysis device. This technique produces a controlled local inflammatory response, promoting tissue regeneration and analgesia through electrochemical and neurophysiological effects.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-19
• Primary completion: 2026-01-28
• Completion: 2026-02-02
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-02-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain