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Dry Needling vs Dry Needling With ES in Patients With Neck/Shoulder Pain
NCT03638388 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
First, we aim to determine if there is a difference in the rate of improvement, as measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), across a 6 week treatment period between those treated with DN only and those treated with DN and intramuscular electrical stimulation (IES) in subjects with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs). Secondly, we want to determine if improvements in clinical outcomes (NDI and NPRS) of patients with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs) treated with dry needling (DN) alone or dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation (DN/IES) are maintained 6 weeks post treatment without further intervention. Research Questions: 1. Is there a difference in the rate of improvement in NDI and NPRS across a 6 week treatment period in subjects with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs) between those treated with DN only and those treated with DN and intramuscular electrical stimulation (IES)? 2. Are improvements in clinical outcomes (NDI and NPRS) of patients with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs) treated with dry needling (DN) maintained 6 weeks post treatment without further intervention? Tertiary exploration: If improvement is maintained, is there a difference in outcome maintenance between groups? Did improvement increase between 6 and 12 weeks?
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- PROCEDURE Dry needling (DN)
- PROCEDURE Dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation (DNES)
Study Locations (1)
Texas
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor — Belton
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 45 participants |
| Start Date | 2018-08-16 |
| Est. Completion | 2019-02-01 |
| Phase | NA |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT03638388
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT03638388 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as NA, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 45 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Kindyle Brennan, which has 1 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 3 conditions, with Neck Pain appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 2 interventions — of which Dry needling (DN) is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT03638388 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include Texas. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03638388 about?
NCT03638388 is a clinical study titled "Dry Needling vs Dry Needling With ES in Patients With Neck/Shoulder Pain". First, we aim to determine if there is a difference in the rate of improvement, as measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), across a 6 week treatment period between those treated with DN only and those treated with DN and intramuscular electrical stimulatio...
What is the current status of trial NCT03638388?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 45 participants. The study started on 2018-08-16. Estimated completion is 2019-02-01.
What conditions does trial NCT03638388 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Myofascial Pain. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03638388?
The interventions under investigation include: Dry needling (DN) (PROCEDURE), Dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation (DNES) (PROCEDURE). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03638388?
This trial is sponsored by Kindyle Brennan, which has 1 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT03638388 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across Texas. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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