RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07133139

Treatment Validation for Myofascial Pain

Treatment Validation of an Ultrasound Imaging Biomarker for Myofascial Pain

Sponsor

Ajay Wasan, MD, Msc

Enrollment

80 participants

Start Date

Oct 6, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP)myofacial pain

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if a body test called the NUN biomarker can track changes in chronic low back pain after dry needling and predict who will feel better. This study is for adults with chronic low back pain from muscle pain (Myofacial Pain). The main questions are: * Does the biomarker drop when pain improves? * Can it predict who benefits most? * Do higher starting levels mean better results with real dry needling? Investigators will compare real and fake (sham) dry needling using ultrasound, muscle pressure tests, and pain reports before and after treatment.

Eligibility

Min Age: 20 YearsMax Age: 70 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a medical device called Dry Needling, NUN Biomarker, and others for people with chronic low back pain (clbp) and myofacial pain. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICEDry Needling

The examiner will use the "repeated tapping" technique of Travel and Simmons in the active condition in the painful tender points and TPs. In the sham treatment, the needle tip retracts when pushed against the skin (like a ballpoint pen), and the subject feels a pointy object on their skin, which does not penetrate. Prior studies have shown that this is a credible placebo condition. Prior studies have also shown that one dry needling session is effective at least temporarily for 1-2 weeks, AND that US correlates of TPs improve as well

DEVICESham Dry Needling

Half of the subjects will receive a sham needle instead which puts pressure on the skin but does not penetrate the skin (like a ballpoint pen with the tip retracted pushing on the skin). Since manual pressure over myofascial tender and trigger points is also an accepted treatment, the sham procedure could also be therapeutic, although we do not think it will be very effective.

OTHERNUN Biomarker

A NUN biomarker measurement means checking the level of a certain substance (the "NUN" biomarker) in your body that can give investigators clues about your condition. Measuring the NUN biomarker helps investigators see if a treatment is working or if your condition is changing.