Electrical Dry Needling Versus Sham Dry Needling in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
CompletedNot applicableNCT07148635
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This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of electrical dry needling (EDN) compared to sham dry needling (SDN) in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). CLBP is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with persistent pain, functional limitations, and reduced quality of life. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are often implicated in CLBP and represent a key therapeutic target. Dry needling is a minimally invasive procedure where fine needles are inserted into trigger points to release muscle tension and alleviate pain. Electrical dry needling is an advanced variation that applies low-frequency electrical stimulation through the inserted needles, potentially enhancing therapeutic effects. However, evidence is limited regarding its superiority over sham procedures. In this randomized controlled trial, 70 adult participants with CLBP persisting for at least three months will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A (EDN + Conventional Therapy): Patients will receive electrical dry needling at active MTrPs combined with a structured physiotherapy program. Group B (SDN + Conventional Therapy): Patients will receive sham dry needling at the same anatomical sites (using superficial or blunt needle placement without penetration) alongside the same physiotherapy program. Interventions will be delivered weekly for six weeks. Assessments will occur at baseline, third week, and sixth week. Primary outcomes include: Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS) Functional disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, RMDQ) Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, TSK) This trial is designed to clarify the clinical value of EDN beyond placebo effects, providing evidence to guide management of CLBP.
Study details
- Official title
- Electrical Dry Needling Versus Sham Dry Needling in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain
- Conditions
- Interventions
- Procedure: Electrical Dry Needling (EDN)
- Procedure: Sham Dry Needling (SDN)
- Sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Start date
- 2025-04-09
- Primary completion
- 2025-08-11
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 18 Years to 25 Years
- Results posted
- No results posted in this snapshot
- Countries
- Pakistan
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: * Both male and female gender will be included (Fernández-Carnero, 2021). * Clinically diagnosed of chronic low back pain persisting for at least three months (Tüzün et al., 2017) * Identifiable active myofascial trigger points in the lower back muscles, confirmed through palpation or another standardized method (Donohoe, 2016). * Moderate to severe pain intensity, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) (Tüzün et al., 2017) * Sufficient cognitive and physical ability to engage in assessments and interventions (Tüzün et al., 2017) Exclusion Criteria: * Known hypersensitivity to needles, history of severe bleeding disorders, or any condition that contraindicates dry needling (Tüzün et al., 2017) * Use of other physical therapy interventions or dry needling treatments in the last three months for low back pain (Fernández-Carnero, 2021). * Presence of specific spinal conditions (e.g., disc herniation, spinal stenosis, fractures, or recent spinal surgeries) (Tüzün et al., 2017) * History of neurological conditions affecting movement, sensation, or pain perception, such as multiple sclerosis or peripheral neuropathy (Donohoe, 2016) * Pregnant women will be excluded due to potential risks associated with the interventions (Tüzün et al., 2017) * Unstable psychiatric conditions or active substance abuse that could interfere with participation or adherence to study procedures
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07148635