Dry Needling and Patients Treatment Expectations

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Neck Pain; Dry Needling; Motivation

In brief

Objectives The aim of this study is to compare the effects of inducing positive expectations against negative or neutral induced expectations on the activation of the Autonomic Nervous System and the analgesic response, after a dry needling technique in upper trapezius fibers in patients with unspecific neck pain. Summary Theoretical framework: Dry needling has proven its efficacy for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Moreover, it has proven its effects over the Central Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). Despite that previous studies have researched the role of patient's expectations and their relationship with the results of treatment, there is insufficient information concerning the effects of inducing expectations and the activation of the ANS during the application of widely used therapies, such as dry needling.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04636879

Run by

University of Alcala

People needed

45

Starts

2021-02-23

Expected to finish

2026-11-05

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-01

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Neck pain.
• Hiperalgesic point in Upper trapezius muscle.

You may not qualify if…

• Pain Irradiation toward upper limb
• Psychological disorders
• Whiplash.
• Neuropathic symptoms
• Cervical and / or Shoulder Spine Surgery

Where it is running

• Clinical University — Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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