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Ultrasound-Guided Electrical Dry Needling for Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sponsor: Liberty University
Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate whether ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling with conventional physical therapy is more effective than conventional physical therapy alone in the following outcome measures: disability (Neck Disability Index and Upper Extremity Functional Index-20), average pain over the last 24 hours (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), paraspinal mechanosensitivity (pain-pressure threshold), cervical ipsilateral rotation range-of-motion, and medication intake.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
58
Start Date
2026-10
Completion Date
2027-12
Last Updated
2026-10-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Ultrasound-guided electrical dry needling
With ultrasound guidance using sterile gel, between 40mm and 60mm by 0.30mm diameter J-SEIRIN needles will be inserted lateral to medial at a 45 to 60 degree angle to the laminas from C5 to T1. Needles will be angled inferiorly by 10 degrees secondary to the perched nature of the cervical vertebra. Needles (n=4) will be left in situ for 30 minutes with electrical stimulation at low frequency (2 Hz) and moderate pulse duration (250 microseconds) via an ITO ES-160 at the maximum tolerable intensity. Electrical stimulation will be coupled with manual manipulation via four clockwise 360-degree turns every five minutes as tolerated.
Conventional Physical Therapy
Classification of patients into high, moderate, and low severity and irritability groups will be done within the severity and irritability components of the SINSS protocol. Severity and irritability levels will be assessed at the start of each visit to guide CPT prescription. If these levels differ, then the allotted interventions will be the more conservative option. CPT will incorporate stretching, graded cervical and periscapular exercises, joint mobilization, and neural mobilization at different intensities per their respective severity and irritability.
Locations (1)
Macon Rehabilitation and Performance Center
Macon, Georgia, United States