The Efficacy of Thread Embedding Acupuncture on Pain Score, Neck Disability Index, and Pressure Pain Threshold for Myofascial Pain Therapy in the Upper Trapezius Muscle

University of Indonesia (UI)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Myofascial Pain of Upper Trapezius Muscle

Treatments: Procedure: Thread-Embedding Acupuncture, Sham Thread-Embedding Acupuncture

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05987683

23060907

Details and patient eligibility

About

Myofascial pain is characterized by myofascial trigger points, considered as a major cause of neck and shoulder pain in the working population. Thread-embedding acupuncture is a new acupuncture modality that can provide long-term stimulation aimed at prolonging its therapeutic effect that is similar to conventional acupuncture, such as analgesic effects. The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate and compare the effects of thread-embedding acupuncture and sham thread-embedding acupuncture as a therapy for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle. The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether thread-embedding acupuncture therapy gives better and last longer results for myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle than sham thread-embedding acupuncture.

Full description

This is a clinical trial study to evaluate and compare the effects of thread-embedding acupuncture and sham thread-embedding acupuncture as a therapy for myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle. The subjects are 44 males/female with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle and will be randomly assigned to 2 groups: (1) thread-embedding acupuncture and (2) Sham thread-embedding acupuncture. The subjects will receive a single treatment. The outcome will be assessed before treatment (baseline) and 3 days, 1 week, 4 weeks, 8 weeks after treatment. Patients and the outcome assessors will be blinded to the group allocation.

Enrollment: 44 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 59 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female aged 18-59 years.
• Subject with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle.
• VAS score of 30-70 mm from 100 mm during activities (everyday activities or light exercise).
• Pain > 3 months.
• Willing to participate in this research to completion and sign informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Fibromyalgia.
• Have had cervical spine surgery.
• Have done Dry needling therapy on the upper trapezius muscle in the last 9 days
• Have done thread acupuncture on the upper trapezius muscle in the last 6 months.
• Have performed pharmacopuncture on the upper trapezius muscle in the last 6 months.
• VAS score is more than 70 mm than 100 mm at resting.
• History of anti-inflammatory drug treatment in the previous 2 weeks.
• History of intra-articular steroid injections in the previous 3 months.
• There is a tumor, wound, or skin infection at the needle insertion area.
• Fever (≥ 37.5 oC).
• There is a hypersensitivity reaction in previous acupuncture therapy (metal allergy, severe atopy, keloids, or other skin hypersensitivity).
• Suffering from a blood disorder or taking blood thinners (anti-platelet or anti-coagulant drugs).
• Have a heart condition or uncontrolled diabetes.
• Blood glucose level (GDS) ≥200 mg/dL is checked by capillary blood using a glucometer.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

Thread-Embedding Acupuncture

Experimental group

Description:

Thread-Embedding Acupuncture using a 29-gauge TEA needle with a 50-mm PDO (polydioxanone) thread

Treatment:

Procedure: Thread-Embedding Acupuncture, Sham Thread-Embedding Acupuncture

Sham Thread-Embedding Acupuncture

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Sham Thread-Embedding Acupuncture using a 29-gauge TEA needle but thread-removed, just needle alone

Treatment:

Procedure: Thread-Embedding Acupuncture, Sham Thread-Embedding Acupuncture