Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation Versus Dry Needling in Shoulder Pain Treatment

University of Alcala

Status: Completed

Conditions: Shoulder Pain

Treatments: Other: Ultrasound-guided dry needling; Other: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (NMPE)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04454671

CEIM/HU/2019/26)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: nonspecific shoulder pain is very common and the symptoms can persist for 6 to 12 months in half of patients. Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation (US-guided PNM) is an intervention based in an electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve through a needle located close to the target nerve by the use of an ultrasound guidance.

Objectives: the primary aim is to determine changes in strength after US-guided PNM or Ultrasound-guided Dry Needling (US-guided DN) intervention in the Suprascapular Nerve (SN) as well as its effectiveness in changes of muscle function, pain and disability.

Methods: randomised clinical trial (ratio 1:1), single-blind (examiners), parallel, with assessment of third parties. 62 adult participants with unilateral mechanical chronic nonspecific shoulder pain with at least 3-month evolution and shoulder muscle weakness will randomised to one of two procedures: US-guided PNM or US-guided DN. It will be assessed muscle strength, muscle function, pain and disability before, just after, a week and a month after the intervention.

Full description

Shoulder pain is the third reason for medical consultation in the world. Many treatment techniques have been proposed. Neuromodulation techniques through the application of an analgesic electric current using a needle as an electrode, are increasingly used in the treatment of pain.

In this study, the investigators will compare whether the application of a neuromodulation technique is more effective than applying the dry needling technique in isolation.

Enrollment: 62 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Chronic mechanical unilateral shoulder pain of non-specific origin of at least 3 months of evolution
• Weakness in the abduction force and / or external rotation of the shoulder.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous shoulder surgery.
• Previous history of shoulder dislocation
• Whiplash.
• Cervical radiculopathy.
• Total rupture of the rotator cuff.
• Adhesive capsulitis.
• Fibromyalgia diagnosis.
• Diabetes.
• Needle phobia or some contraindication for dry needling (anticoagulants or psychiatric disorders).
• Bilateral shoulder pain.
• Pregnancy or having received a dry puncture in the shoulder region in the last 6 months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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62 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation

Experimental group

Description:

Technique based on electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve through an ultrasound-guided needle or a muscle at a motor point. The stimulation is performed with low or medium frequency currents in which a sensory and / or motor response is sought by stimulating the peripheral nerve

Treatment:

Other: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (NMPE)

Ultrasound-guided dry needling

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Dry needling technique applied by ultrasound-guided but without electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve.

Treatment:

Other: Ultrasound-guided dry needling