Cervicogenic HeadacheheadacheNCT07192497
Therapeutic Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Acupressure Therapy Among Patients With Cervicogenic Headache
A study testing DRY NEEDLING, Acupressure and Dry needling and Acupressure therapy in people with Cervicogenic Headache, run by National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Cervicogenic Headache
- What is being tested?
- DRY NEEDLING, Acupressure and Dry needling and Acupressure therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 80 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 10 Aug 2024to 14 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 20 to 50 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male and female patients aged 20 to 50 years Diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) based on International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria Chronic CGH symptoms (i.e., persisting for at least 3 months) No previous dry needling (DN) or acupressure therapy (AT) within the last 6 months Able and willing to provide informed consent and comply with treatment and follow-up protocols
- Exclusion Criteria: History of cervical spine surgery, significant trauma, or vertebral tumors/neoplasms Congenital spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, spina bifida) Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, vestibular disorders, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or cervical fractures Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or analgesics that may affect pain perception Diagnosed neurological, musculoskeletal, or orthopaedic conditions that affect balance, gait, or functional mobility Pregnancy (optional, often excluded in physiotherapy/dry needling trials)
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
NHC(Doctors plaza physical therapy and Rehabilitation Centre)
Karachi, Sindh, 75600
About this study
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH).
This study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. The trial design includes:
- Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned into four study groups.
- Blinding: A single-blind approach will be used, where participants are unaware of their group allocation, while the researchers administering the intervention will be aware.
- Follow-up Period: Pre-assessment at baseline, post-intervention assessment, and 2-week follow-up.
- Data Analysis: Standardized assessment tools will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention.
Read the detailed description
Study Duration Total Duration: 1 year Intervention Period: 2 weeks Follow-Up: Pre-test, post-test, and 2-week follow-up Intervention Procedures
- Group A (Dry Needling Therapy - DN)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Needling sites: Myofascial trigger points in cervical muscles
- Session duration: 20-30 minutes
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (5 minutes)
- Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes)
- Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Both DN and AT applied in sequence
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes)
- Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- 15-minute heat therapy per session
- No active intervention
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Being tested
- DRY NEEDLING, Acupressure, Dry needling and Acupressure therapy, Hot Pack
- Keywords
- cervical pain, Headache, Dry needling, Accupressure, myofascial trigger points
- Medical subject headings
- Post-Traumatic Headache, Neck Pain, Headache
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
DRY NEEDLINGOther
Myofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles .
AcupressureOther
Acupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles
Dry needling and Acupressure therapyOther
combination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points
Hot PackOther
Hot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Dry Needling (n=20) | Experimental | Dry needling at Myofascial trigger points Receives: Other: DRY NEEDLING |
| Group B- Acupressure (n=20) | Experimental | Manual pressure applied at cervical and shoulder acupressure points Receives: Other: Acupressure |
| Group C - Dry needling and Acupressure (n=20) | Experimental | Dry needling and acupressure therapy will be applied in the same session Receives: Other: Dry needling and Acupressure therapy |
| Control Group D - Hot Pack (n=20) | Experimental | Passive heat therapy applied to the cervical spine Receives: Other: Hot Pack |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS)
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) that is comprises over no's from 0 to 10 .
0 consider as no pain while 10 considered as worst pain.
Measured: 04 weeks
Secondary outcomes (5)
secondary out come measures
Cervical range of motion
Measured: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
functional status
functional status by (Patient-Specific Functional Scale, PSFS).
Measured: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache
impact on human Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache will be measured by using Headache Impact Test
Measured: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Psycho-social characteristics
Psycho-social characteristics by (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, DASS-21
Measured: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Sleep quality
Sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI
Measured: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Sep 2025
- Study start10 Aug 2024
- Primary completion30 Jun 2025
- Study completion14 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Cervicogenic HeadacheStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Atif Hussain, Lincoln University College
- Investigators
- professor Dr. Sateesh babu Natarajan Supervisor, PhD, Study director, Lincoln University College Malaysia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07192497
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- LUC/CPGS/PDFRA/PDA20250530/001
- Other IDs
- LUC/CPGS/PDFRA/PDA20250530/001
- Acronym
- headache
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Jul 2025
- Last updated
- 25 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Due to ethical considerations and the need to protect participant confidentiality, individual participant data will not be shared. The informed consent obtained from participants does not include permission for data sharing with external researchers.
Publications
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507862/
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Therapeutic Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Acupressure Therapy Among Patients With Cervicogenic Headache
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07192497
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- headache / LUC/CPGS/PDFRA/PDA20250530/001
- Conditions
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Keywords
- cervical pain, Headache, Dry needling, Accupressure, myofascial trigger points
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 80 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical TherapyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 14 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 25 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a pre-test and post-test design will be conducted to compare the therapeutic effectiveness of Dry Needling (DN), Acupressure Therapy (AT), and their combination (DN + AT) against a control group receiving Hot Pack Therapy in patients diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CH).
This study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. The trial design includes:
- Randomization: Participants will be randomly assigned into four study groups.
- Blinding: A single-blind approach will be used, where participants are unaware of their group allocation, while the researchers administering the intervention will be aware.
- Follow-up Period: Pre-assessment at baseline, post-intervention assessment, and 2-week follow-up.
- Data Analysis: Standardized assessment tools will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of each intervention.
Detailed description
Study Duration Total Duration: 1 year Intervention Period: 2 weeks Follow-Up: Pre-test, post-test, and 2-week follow-up Intervention Procedures
- Group A (Dry Needling Therapy - DN)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Needling sites: Myofascial trigger points in cervical muscles
- Session duration: 20-30 minutes
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (5 minutes)
- Group B (Acupressure Therapy - AT)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Pressure applied to cervical acupressure points
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10 minutes)
- Group C (Combined Therapy - DN + AT)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- Both DN and AT applied in sequence
- Post-treatment: Cryotherapy (10-15 minutes)
- Group D (Control - Hot Pack Therapy)
- 06 sessions over 2 weeks
- 15-minute heat therapy per session
- No active intervention
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A - Dry Needling (n=20) | Experimental | Other: DRY NEEDLINGDry needling at Myofascial trigger points |
| Group B- Acupressure (n=20) | Experimental | Other: AcupressureManual pressure applied at cervical and shoulder acupressure points |
| Group C - Dry needling and Acupressure (n=20) | Experimental | Other: Dry needling and Acupressure therapyDry needling and acupressure therapy will be applied in the same session |
| Control Group D - Hot Pack (n=20) | Experimental | Other: Hot PackPassive heat therapy applied to the cervical spine |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Male and female patients aged 20 to 50 years Diagnosed with Cervicogenic Headache (CGH) based on International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria Chronic CGH symptoms (i.e., persisting for at least 3 months) No previous dry needling (DN) or acupressure therapy (AT) within the last 6 months Able and willing to provide informed consent and comply with treatment and follow-up protocols
- Exclusion Criteria: History of cervical spine surgery, significant trauma, or vertebral tumors/neoplasms Congenital spinal deformities (e.g., scoliosis, spina bifida) Diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, vestibular disorders, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, or cervical fractures Current use of anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or analgesics that may affect pain perception Diagnosed neurological, musculoskeletal, or orthopaedic conditions that affect balance, gait, or functional mobility Pregnancy (optional, often excluded in physiotherapy/dry needling trials)
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| DRY NEEDLINGMyofacial trigger point dry needling used to treat taught bands superficial or deep inside of muscles . | Other | Group A - Dry Needling (n=20) |
| AcupressureAcupressure therapy based on traditional Chinese principles | Other | Group B- Acupressure (n=20) |
| Dry needling and Acupressure therapycombination of dry needling and acupressure therapy on cervical trigger points | Other | Group C - Dry needling and Acupressure (n=20) |
| Hot PackHot fermentation will be applied on cervical pain area | Other | Control Group D - Hot Pack (n=20) |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS)
Time frame: 04 weeks
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) that is comprises over no's from 0 to 10 . 0 consider as no pain while 10 considered as worst pain.
5 secondary outcomes
secondary out come measures
Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
functional status
Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Quality of life of patients with cervicogenic headache
Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Psycho-social characteristics
Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Sleep quality
Time frame: A pre-test/post-test design with assessments at baseline and after two weeks of intervention. after 02 weeks intervention Week 3, and Week 4 for follow up total 02 weeks intervention and 02 weeks for followup
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Sep 2025.
- Backgroundhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507862/
- cervicogenic headacheLink provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Due to ethical considerations and the need to protect participant confidentiality, individual participant data will not be shared. The informed consent obtained from participants does not include permission for data sharing with external researchers.
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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.
professor Dr. Sateesh babu Natarajan Supervisor, PhD study director
Lincoln University College Malaysia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing DRY NEEDLING, Acupressure and Dry needling and Acupressure therapy in people with Cervicogenic Headache, run by National Health Care Center (NHC) The Doctors Plaza Physical Therapy at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 2 inclusion and 0 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 25 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale, NPRS) (time frame: 04 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07192497, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 25 Sep 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.