Pain Intervention With Needling: Pilot Of Integrated Neuromodulation Techniques

Part of paid clinical trials in Galveston, Texas.

Sponsor
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Study ID
NCT07112404
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Back Pain
  • Lower Back Pain
  • Pain
  • Quality of Life

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 65 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Dry Needling — OTHER
    Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where thin, solid filiform needles are inserted into trigger points, tight muscle bands, or areas of muscle tension without injecting any medication. The procedure aims to release muscle knots, reduce pain, and improve muscle function by stimulating the body's natural healing response.
  • Dry needling with high-rate PENS — OTHER
    Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where thin, solid filiform needles are inserted into trigger points, tight muscle bands, or areas of muscle tension without injecting any medication. The procedure aims to release muscle knots, reduce pain, and improve muscle function by stimulating the body's natural healing response. When combined with high-rate percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), the needles serve as electrodes for delivering a controlled, high-frequency electrical current directly to the targeted tissues. This electrical stimulation further modulates pain signals, promotes muscle relaxation, and can enhance the effectiveness of dry needling, especially for persistent pain and neuromuscular dysfunction.
  • Dry needling with low-rate PENS — OTHER
    Dry needling is a therapeutic technique where thin, solid filiform needles are inserted into trigger points, tight muscle bands, or areas of muscle tension without injecting any medication. The procedure aims to release muscle knots, reduce pain, and improve muscle function by stimulating the body's natural healing response. When combined with low-rate percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS), the needles serve as electrodes for delivering a controlled, low-frequency electrical current directly to the targeted tissues. This electrical stimulation further modulates pain signals, promotes muscle relaxation, and can enhance the effectiveness of dry needling, especially for persistent pain and neuromuscular dysfunction.

Study Details

The study's purpose is to determine the effects of three different dry needling sessions on pain and quality of life for those with chronic low back pain. Dry needling is a therapeutic procedure in which a very thin, monofilament needle is inserted through the skin to reach a target tissue like a muscle to help reduce pain, improve muscle activation, and increase blood flow. Dry needling has also been shown to improve nervous system function.

Key Dates

Start date
Oct 23, 2025
Status verified
Mar 2026
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2027
Completion
Sep 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
42 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Dry Needling Only Group
    This group will receive dry needling only. The group will receive the dry needling at visits 2-7.
  • Experimental: Dry Needling Plus high-rate PENS
    This grouping will receive dry needling plus high-rate PENS. The group will receive the dry needling at visits 2-7.
  • Experimental: Dry Needling Plus low-rate PENS
    This grouping will receive dry needling plus low-rate PENS. The group will receive the dry needling at visits 2-7.

Primary Outcome Measure

Assess the acceptability and feasibility of the protocol- Phase 1 Healthy Participants [ Time Frame: one week, up to 3 months ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of Texas Medical Branch, GalvestonGalvestonTexas77555
Ryan Pontiff, PT,DPT,PhD
[email protected]
409-772-0310

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By research site
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston· Galveston, TX

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