]>
IRCT20260703070055N1 IRCT 2026-08-28 Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences The effect of adding Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive therapy (TECAR) to dry needling in upper trapezius active trigger points The effect of adding Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive therapy (TECAR) to dry needling on pain, pressure pain threshold, functinal disability and neck range of motion (ROM) in people with active trigger points in upper trapezius muscle 2026-09-23 anticipated 44 Pending https://irct.ir/trial/91522 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Single blinded, Placebo: Not used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Treatment, Randomization description: Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 (control group) will receive dry needling alone, while group 2 (intervention group) will receive tecar therapy combined with dry needling. Randomization will be performed using the sealed opaque envelope method. Based on the total sample size of 44 participants, 44 opaque sealed envelopes will be prepared. Twenty-two envelopes will contain the allocation for Group 1 (dry needling) and the remaining twenty-two envelopes will contain the allocation for Group 2 (tecar therapy plus dry needling). After enrollment, each participant will be asked to randomly select one envelope, which will determine their treatment assignment, Blinding description: The principal investigator is blinded to the participant selection and randomization process. However, the interventions for both the intervention and control groups are administered by the principal investigator. Participants are assessed at three time points: before the intervention, 48 hours after the final treatment session, and 4 weeks after the final treatment session (follow-up). All assessments are conducted by a physiotherapist who is blinded to the participants' group allocation. Thus, the outcome assessor remains blinded throughout the baseline, post-intervention, and follow-up assessments. Statistical analysis of the data will be performed after completion of data collection by the study's statistical consultant, who is also blinded to the participants' group allocation. N/A Active triggerpoints of upper trapezius. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Participants will be positioned prone with their hands under the forehead for dry needling. After skin disinfection and wearing gloves, a 25 × 50 mm needle will be inserted into active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle using the pincer palpation technique. The taut band will be grasped between the thumb and index finger and the needle will be advanced toward the trigger point to elicit a local twitch response. If no twitch response occurs, 2–3 needle movements will be performed, followed by static retention of the needle for 10 minutes. This procedure will be applied to all active trigger points and performed for four sessions (twice weekly, with a three-day interval) over two weeks. Following dry needling, calibrated New Age tecar therapy will be applied. Participants will remain in the prone position, with the passive electrode placed under the arm region. Active tecar therapy will be administered using a monopolar technique, including 10 minutes of capacitive mode followed by 10 minutes of resistive mode, using a 6 cm² electrode at an intensity of 20–50% according to the patient's comfortable thermal sensation. The active electrode will be applied over the upper trapezius muscle for a total of 20 minutes in each session. Tecar therapy will be performed for four sessions over two weeks following dry needling. Intervention 2: Control group: Participants will be positioned prone with their hands under the forehead for dry needling. After skin disinfection and using gloves, a 25 × 50 mm needle will be inserted into the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle using the pincer palpation technique. The taut band will be grasped between the thumb and index finger, and the needle will be advanced toward the trigger point to elicit a local twitch response. If no twitch response occurs, 2–3 needle movements will be performed, followed by static needle retention for 10 minutes. This procedure will be applied to all active trigger points and performed for four sessions (twice weekly, with a three-day interval) over two weeks. To control for the contact and placebo effects of tecar therapy, sham tecar will be applied after dry needling. The device will be activated for 20 seconds to produce a sensation of warmth, then switched off, and the electrode will be moved over the upper trapezius region for 20 minutes without active energy delivery. Yes - There is a plan to make this available What will be shared: All de-identified participant data will be made available to other researchers. Additional study documents, including data analyses and the study protocol, will also be published. When: Data access will begin in 2028. To whom: Researchers affiliated with academic institutions and medical students Conditions: Other researchers, as well as healthcare professionals and rehabilitation therapists, will be able to use the data and findings for patient management and the development of future research projects. Where to obtain: For further information or access requests, researchers may contact the study team via email at Alishirani1380127@gmail.com or visit the Rehabilitation Faculty of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. How to obtain: For further information or access requests, researchers may contact the study team via email at Alishirani1380127@gmail.com or visit the Rehabilitation Faculty of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Comments:
public Ali Shirani
School of Rehabilitation., Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences., Damavand St., Emam Hossein Sq
Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1616913111 +98 21 7756 1721 alishirani1380127@gmail.com Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences scientific Saeed Mikaili
School of Rehabilitation., Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences., Damavand St., Emam Hossein Sq
Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of) 16169113111 +98 21 7756 1721 Saeed.mikaely@yahoo.com Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Iran (Islamic Republic of) Age between 20 and 50 years Pain intensity greater than 3 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for more than 30 days Presence of a palpable taut band and an active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle, where stimulation of the trigger point reproduces or aggravates the patient's familiar pain. Negative findings on Upper Limb Tension Tests (ULTTs) No therapeutic intervention received within the previous 30 days Ability to understand and communicate in persian to complete the study questionnaires 20 years 50 years Both History of surgery or fracture involving the neck and shoulder region within the past 2 years Presence of myelopathy, radiculopathy and rheumatologic diseases History of psychological or psychiatric disorders Pregnancy or breastfeeding Presence of infection, tumor and lymphedema Current use of corticosteroids or narcotic medications History of cardiovascular disease and the presence of a cardiac pacemaker Fear of needles and history of allergic reactions to needling procedures History of trauma or evidence of peripheral nerve involvement M54.2 Cervicalgia Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Intervention group: Participants will be positioned prone with their hands under the forehead for dry needling. After skin disinfection and wearing gloves, a 25 × 50 mm needle will be inserted into active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle using the pincer palpation technique. The taut band will be grasped between the thumb and index finger and the needle will be advanced toward the trigger point to elicit a local twitch response. If no twitch response occurs, 2–3 needle movements will be performed, followed by static retention of the needle for 10 minutes. This procedure will be applied to all active trigger points and performed for four sessions (twice weekly, with a three-day interval) over two weeks. Following dry needling, calibrated New Age tecar therapy will be applied. Participants will remain in the prone position, with the passive electrode placed under the arm region. Active tecar therapy will be administered using a monopolar technique, including 10 minutes of capacitive mode followed by 10 minutes of resistive mode, using a 6 cm² electrode at an intensity of 20–50% according to the patient's comfortable thermal sensation. The active electrode will be applied over the upper trapezius muscle for a total of 20 minutes in each session. Tecar therapy will be performed for four sessions over two weeks following dry needling. Control group: Participants will be positioned prone with their hands under the forehead for dry needling. After skin disinfection and using gloves, a 25 × 50 mm needle will be inserted into the active trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle using the pincer palpation technique. The taut band will be grasped between the thumb and index finger, and the needle will be advanced toward the trigger point to elicit a local twitch response. If no twitch response occurs, 2–3 needle movements will be performed, followed by static needle retention for 10 minutes. This procedure will be applied to all active trigger points and performed for four sessions (twice weekly, with a three-day interval) over two weeks. To control for the contact and placebo effects of tecar therapy, sham tecar will be applied after dry needling. The device will be activated for 20 seconds to produce a sensation of warmth, then switched off, and the electrode will be moved over the upper trapezius region for 20 minutes without active energy delivery. Pain intensity. Timepoint: Baseline (before the intervention), 48 hours after the final intervention session, four weeks after the final intervention session. Method of measurement: Visual analogue scale. Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT). Timepoint: Baseline (before the intervention), 48 hours after the final intervention session, four weeks after the final intervention session. Method of measurement: Algometer. Active neck range of motion. Timepoint: Baseline (before the intervention), 48 hours after the final intervention session, four weeks after the final intervention session. Method of measurement: goniometer. Neck Functional Disability. Timepoint: Baseline (before the intervention), 48 hours after the final intervention session, four weeks after the final intervention session. Method of measurement: Neck Disability Index. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Approved 2026-06-07 Ethic Committees of Vice Chancellor in Research Affairs Shahid Beheshti Medical University Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences., Arabi Ave., Daneshjoo Blvd., Velenjak Tehran Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of)