Evaluation of the Effect of Adding Sodium Bicarbonate to Lidocaine in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Myofacial Pain, Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Myofacial Pain Syndromes, Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome

In brief

This study is designed to evaluate a method to improve the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a common condition that causes muscle pain, tenderness, and reduced movement due to the presence of trigger points in muscles. A commonly used treatment for this condition is the injection of a local anesthetic called lidocaine into these trigger points to relieve pain. However, the pain relief from lidocaine alone may be temporary. In this study, we are investigating whether adding a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to lidocaine can improve its effectiveness. Sodium bicarbonate may reduce the pain during injection and help the anesthetic work faster and possibly last longer. Participants in this study will be randomly assigned into one of two groups: One group will receive lidocaine alone. The other group will receive lidocaine mixed with sodium bicarbonate. The injection will be performed once into the painful muscle trigger points under sterile conditions. Pain levels will be assessed using a simple pain scale, and muscle activity will be measured using a non-invasive technique called surface electromyography (sEMG), which records muscle electrical activity. These measurements will be taken before the injection, immediately after, and during follow-up visits. Participants may experience mild discomfort during or after the injection, but all procedures are routinely used in clinical practice. Safety measures will be in place to manage any possible side effects. The goal of this study is to determine whether the combined injection provides better pain relief, improves muscle function, and enhances patient comfort compared to lidocaine alone.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07572994

Run by

Cairo University

People needed

30

Starts

2026-05-01

Expected to finish

2026-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-07

Who can join

Age: 16 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Patients aged 16 to 70 years Clinical diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) Presence of active myofascial trigger points Pain duration ≥ 3 months Pain intensity ≥ 4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Trigger points located in accessible muscles No trigger point injection in the affected area within the past 3 months Ability and willingness to provide informed consent Willingness to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits

You may not qualify if…

• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to lidocaine, sodium bicarbonate, or other amide-type local anesthetics Current use of anticoagulants or presence of bleeding disorders Local or systemic infection at or near the injection site History of fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain, or central pain syndromes Major psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression) Recent trauma or surgery to the neck, shoulder, or back within the past 6 months Use of analgesics (e.g., NSAIDs, opioids) within 5 days prior to injection Severe systemic diseases (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure, severe cardiovascular disease)

Where it is running

• Faculty of Dentistry Cairo University — Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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