Trigger Point Pain, MyofascialNCT04066166
Accuracy of Rib Palpation for Dry Needling of Deep Periscapular Musculature, Measured With Ultrasound
An observational study of Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, run by University of Utah.
Trial summary
Ultrasound was used to identify the location of a rib. This was compared to a practitioner's ability to palpate the area. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
- What is being tested?
- Palpation
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2016to 31 Jul 2017
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: All healthy participants
Who may be able to join
- Anyone with ribs
Who cannot join
- No children
About this study
Ultrasound was used to identify the location of a rib. This was compared to a practitioner's ability to palpate the area.
Read the detailed description
Ultrasound was used to identify the location of a rib. This was compared to a practitioner's ability to palpate the area. The purpose of this study is to identify if practitioners are as accurate as they think they are in identifying ribs. This is important, as mis-identifying a rib may put patients at risk for inadvertent needle entry into the lung.
- Conditions
- Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
- Being tested
- Palpation
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PalpationDiagnostic test
All healthy subjects palpated
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | Healthy Receives: Diagnostic Test: Palpation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Accuracy
Number of participants who were appropriately identified compared to ultrasound
Measured: 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Aug 2019
- Study start1 Jan 2016
- Primary completion1 Jul 2017
- Study completion31 Jul 2017
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Trigger Point Pain, MyofascialStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of UtahThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Utah
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Daniel Cushman, University of Utah
- Investigators
- Daniel Cushman, Principal investigator, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04066166
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0084226
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 12 Aug 2019
- Last updated
- 27 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Accuracy of Rib Palpation for Dry Needling of Deep Periscapular Musculature, Measured With Ultrasound
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04066166
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 0084226
- Conditions
- Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of UtahUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2016 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2017 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2017 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Aug 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 27 Apr 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Ultrasound was used to identify the location of a rib. This was compared to a practitioner's ability to palpate the area.
Detailed description
Ultrasound was used to identify the location of a rib. This was compared to a practitioner's ability to palpate the area. The purpose of this study is to identify if practitioners are as accurate as they think they are in identifying ribs. This is important, as mis-identifying a rib may put patients at risk for inadvertent needle entry into the lung.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects | – | Diagnostic Test: PalpationHealthy |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- All healthy participants
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Anyone with ribs
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- No children
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| PalpationAll healthy subjects palpated | Diagnostic test | Subjects |
Primary outcome
Accuracy
Time frame: 1 year
Number of participants who were appropriately identified compared to ultrasound
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 Apr 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Daniel Cushman principal investigator
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, run by University of Utah.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 27 Apr 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Accuracy (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Apr 2026.