Actively Recruiting
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Adding Greater Occipital Nerve Block to Trigger Point Injection in Patients With Neck Pain and Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by Ankara Etlik City Hospital · Updated on 2025-07-10
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to evaluate whether adding a Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) block to standard trigger point injection treatment can better relieve pain and improve daily function in adults with neck pain caused by upper trapezius trigger points. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome and seeks to clarify if combining these treatments offers more benefits than trigger point injections alone. Participants are randomly assigned to two groups: one group receives trigger point injections into the upper trapezius muscle using a mix of lidocaine and saline, while the other group receives the same trigger point injections plus an ultrasound-guided GON block with lidocaine and steroid. Both groups follow a home exercise program for neck muscle stretching and strengthening, with weekly phone follow-ups to monitor progress. The study lasts 12 months and includes single-blind assessment to reduce bias. Patients will be evaluated before treatment, and then 1 and 4 weeks after treatment using pain scales (Visual Analog Scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire), neck disability indexes, quality of life profiles, neck movement tests, and posture analysis. Safety and treatment effects will be closely monitored throughout the study. The main goal is to determine if the combined treatment improves pain and function more than trigger point injections alone.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Efficacy of Adding Greater Occipital Nerve Block to Trigger Point Injection in Patients With Neck Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patients aged between 18 and 65 years.
- Diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) based on the major and minor criteria described by Travell and Simons.
- Presence of active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
- Neck pain lasting longer than 3 months.
- Pain intensity of 5 or higher on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
You will not qualify if you...
- Elderly, pediatric, pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding individuals.
- Patients in intensive care; unconscious or legally incapacitated persons.
- Known allergy to local anesthetics or corticosteroids.
- Bleeding disorders or current anticoagulant therapy.
- Active infection at or near injection site or systemic infection.
- Impaired skin integrity.
- Psychiatric disorders affecting treatment or study outcomes.
- Severe neurological, cardiovascular disorders, or uncontrolled diabetes.
- Cervical disc pathologies with radiculopathy.
- Recent shoulder or neck treatments (injections, dry needling, manual therapy, electrotherapy) within 3 months.
- History of cervical or shoulder surgery.
- Diagnosed adhesive capsulitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, or shoulder impingement syndrome.
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
- Active trigger points in other back muscles.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single treatment session
Participants receive trigger point injections alone or combined with an ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block to manage neck pain.
1 treatment visit (in-person)
Duration - 4 weeks
Participants are monitored to assess pain and functional outcomes after treatment.
2 visits at Week 1 and Week 4 post-treatment (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye), 06170
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
İ
İlayda Gerdan, Resident Doctor
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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