Effectiveness of Dry Needling Versus Cupping Therapy for Pain in Piriformis Syndrome

NCT06437795 — Not applicable, Unknown, 80 participants, Superior University

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Registry	NCT06437795
Status	Unknown
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: none, diagnostic
Enrollment	80 (Actual)
Sponsor	Superior University (Other)
Conditions	Piriformis Syndrome
Interventions	Dry Needling Group, Cupping Therapy Group (Diagnostic test, other)
Dates	start 2023-11-01, primary completion 2024-05-01, completion 2024-09-01 (estimated), first posted 2024-05-31, last updated 2024-05-31
Locations	1 site in Pakistan

-Summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two popular therapeutic interventions, dry needling and cupping therapy, in alleviating pain associated with Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis Syndrome is a neuromuscular disorder caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, leading to buttock pain and radiating numbness.

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+Detailed description

The study will recruit participants diagnosed with Piriformis Syndrome and will randomly assign them to receive either dry needling or cupping therapy over a specific period. The primary outcome will be the reduction in pain intensity measured by standardized pain assessment tools. Secondary outcomes will include improvements in functional mobility and quality of life. By analyzing the efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of both therapies, the study aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians treating Piriformis Syndrome.

+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Dry Needling Group	Experimental	Diagnostic Test: Dry Needling Group
Cupping Therapy Group	Other	Other: Cupping Therapy Group

Dry Needling Group (Diagnostic test): Participants in this group will receive dry needling therapy. This involves inserting thin needles into trigger points in the piriformis muscle to relieve pain and muscle tension. The therapy will be administered twice a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Cupping Therapy Group (Other): Participants in this group will receive cupping therapy. This involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which is believed to improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension. The therapy will be administered twice a week for 4 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Visual Analog Scale (VAS) [12 Months]: Participants will rate their pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain) at the beginning and end of the study.
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) [12 months]: This tool assesses the degree of disability in performing daily activities. Quality of life improvements measured by the SF-36 Health Survey, which evaluates physical and mental health status.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged between 18 to 65 years.
* Diagnosed with piriformis syndrome.
* Experiencing chronic pain for at least 3 months.
* Willingness to comply with the study protocol and attend all therapy sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recent surgery on the lower back or hip.
* Presence of systemic diseases affecting muscle function (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis).
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
* Use of anticoagulant medication or having a bleeding disorder.
* Participating in another clinical trial simultaneously

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Ghurkee Hospital	Lahore, Punjab Province	Pakistan