Study of How Positive, Neutral, or Negative Expectations Affect the Nervous System and Pain Relief After Dry Needling Treatment for Neck Pain

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how different types of expectations affect the Autonomic Nervous System ANS and pain relief after dry needling treatment in patients with neck pain. The study compares positive, neutral, and negative expectations to see how they influence the bodys response to dry needling, a common therapy for muscle pain. The study focuses on myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle and explores how patient mindset may impact treatment outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups where they receive positive, neutral, or negative information about dry needling before treatment. All groups receive dry needling applied to the most painful point in the upper trapezius muscle. The study measures changes in pain and ANS activity to understand how expectation influences the bodys reaction to this therapy. During the study, researchers monitor heart rate, breathing rate, skin conductance, and skin temperature before, during, and for 20 minutes after the dry needling treatment. Pain levels are measured using a visual scale and pressure pain threshold tests before and after the intervention. The main outcome is the change in skin conductance 20 minutes after treatment, with additional assessments of heart rate variability and pain intensity. This helps evaluate both nervous system responses and pain relief effects over the course of the study.

Dry Needling and Patients Treatment Expectations