Ultrasound-guided vs. Blinded Dry Needling for Piriformis Syndrome

Uskudar State Hospital

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Piriformis Syndrome

Treatments: Procedure: Ultrasound-guided dry needling; Procedure: Blinded dry needling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05882799

Priformis1

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus blinded dry needling for the treatment of piriformis syndrome.

Full description

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided versus blinded dry needling for the treatment of piriformis syndrome. Patients in both groups will receive three weekly sessions of dry needling performed by a single experienced physiatrist. The intervention will involve inserting a sterile acupuncture needle into the trigger points of the piriformis muscle and manipulating the needle to elicit a twitch response. Patients in the ultrasound-guided group will receive dry needling under real-time ultrasound guidance, while patients in the blinded group will receive dry needling without ultrasound guidance. Patients will be assessed before treatment, after treatment, after the third week, and after three months.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female patients aged 18-65 years.
• Clinical diagnosis of piriformis syndrome based on the following criteria: buttock pain, radiating pain to the posterior thigh, and tenderness over the piriformis muscle.
• Pain intensity of at least 4 out of 10 on a visual analog scale (VAS).
• Willingness to comply with the study protocol and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous surgery or injection therapy for piriformis syndrome.
• Contraindications to dry needling, such as bleeding disorders or skin infections.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• History of neurological disorders, such as sciatica, radiculopathy, or neuropathy.
• History of serious psychiatric illness or substance abuse.
• Inability to complete the study questionnaires or follow-up assessments.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Ultrasound-guided dry needling group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients in this group will receive dry needling for piriformis syndrome under real-time ultrasound guidance.

Treatment:

Procedure: Ultrasound-guided dry needling

Blinded dry needling group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Patients in this group will receive dry needling for piriformis syndrome without ultrasound guidance.

Treatment:

Procedure: Blinded dry needling