Trigger Point Injections for Myofascial Pain

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: University of Arizona

Disqualifiers: Serious mental illness, diffuse pain

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

300 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial studies how different numbers of needle passes during trigger point injections affect pain relief in patients with chronic myofascial pain. The treatment involves injecting a numbing medicine into painful muscle areas and moving the needle in and out multiple times. The goal is to find out which method provides the best pain relief.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is trigger point injection generally safe for humans?

Trigger point injections are usually considered safe, but there can be serious complications, especially when injected into certain areas like the neck and chest. A review of various studies suggests that while these injections are commonly used for pain management, they should be approached with caution and are best reserved for cases where other treatments have not worked. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is trigger point injection treatment different for myofascial pain?

Trigger point injections for myofascial pain involve injecting a solution directly into the painful muscle areas, which can provide relief when other treatments like massage or physical therapy haven't worked. Unlike other treatments, these injections can use various solutions, including local anesthetics or saline, and are often reserved for more persistent cases. However, the effectiveness of different solutions is similar, and the relief may be due to the injection process itself rather than the specific solution used. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Trigger Point Injection for myofascial pain?

Research shows that trigger point injections can provide relief for myofascial pain, with nearly half of patients becoming symptom-free and many others experiencing substantial relief. However, the relief may be due to the physical act of injection rather than the specific solution used, as no single solution has proven superior to others. ^{1 5 9 10 11}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Mohab Ibrahim, Md., Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of Arizona

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking individuals with myofascial pain who haven't found relief through conservative treatments or can't do physical therapy. It's not suitable for those with serious mental illnesses that affect pain perception or conditions causing widespread pain.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with muscle pain.

Able to speak, read and write English

Physical therapy did not work for me or I cannot do it.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a history of conditions that cause widespread pain.

I have a mental illness that affects my ability to feel changes in pain.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive trigger point injections with varying needle passes (2, 10, or 20) based on randomization

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain intensity, sleep patterns, and functional abilities over 60 days

8 weeks

Regular follow-up assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Trigger Point Injection

Trial Overview The study tests how many needle passes in trigger point injections (using lidocaine and bupivacaine) are best for relieving chronic muscle pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either 2, 10, or 20 needle passes at a clinic in Tucson, Arizona.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: One to two needle passes Active Control 1 Intervention

Receive 1-2 needle passes for needling at each trigger point

Group II: Ten needle passes Active Control 1 Intervention

Receive 10 needle passes for needling at each trigger point

Group III: Twenty needle passes Active Control 1 Intervention

Receive 20 needle passes for needling at each trigger point

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Arizona

Lead Sponsor

Trials

545

Recruited

161,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Trigger point injection (TPI) is considered a safe procedure for treating chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain, particularly for conditions like head, neck, shoulder, and back pain, when performed by trained clinicians.

While TPI can relieve symptoms and may enhance outcomes when combined with other therapies, the overall evidence for its efficacy remains inconclusive, with no definitive benefits established compared to other treatment options.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trigger point injections for chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Scott, NA., Guo, B., Barton, PM., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Local injection therapy in 107 patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the head and neck. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Local Anesthetic Injections for the Short-Term Treatment of Head and Neck Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trigger Point Management. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors associated with failure of trigger point injections. [2019]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of bupivacaine, etidocaine, and saline for trigger-point therapy. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hemopneumothorax After Trigger Point Injection for Fibromyalgia. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trigger point injections for chronic non-malignant musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. [2022]

8. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Trigger point therapy for myofascial pain in cancer patients (first report)-analysis results of special use-results surveillance by Neovitacain® injection-]. [2011]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pneumothorax after trigger point injection: A case report and review of literature. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trigger point injections vs. jet injection in the treatment of myofascial pain. [2019]