Musculoskeletal discomfort Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal discomfort
Conditions
Interventions
Treatments using the double-blind needle:
1. The no-touch needle which the needle tip does not reach the skin
2. Skin-touch placebo needle which the needle tip presses against the skin
3. Verum penet
Sponsors
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Patients with stiff neck not from organic disease 2. Age range: over 18 years, both male and female
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Patients who have: 1. Cervical spondylosis 2. Cervical disc herniation 3. Cervico-omo-brachial syndrome 4. Thoracic outlet syndrome 5. Liver, gallbladder or heart disease 6. High blood pressure 7. Cerebral vascular disease 8. Neurological disease 9. Under any pharmacological treatment 10. Patients who will receive any cure for stiff neck or acupuncture treatment within 24 hours after treatment in this study
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Improvement in stiff neck: before, immediately and 24 hours after needle application, the patients are asked about the intensity of their stiff neck on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 (no stiff neck) to 100 (the most intense stiff neck imaginable) | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Effect of patient and practitioner blinding using the double-blind needle: after completion of treatment, the practitioners and patients are asked to record whether they think the treatment is 'penetrating', 'skin-touch', 'no-touch' or 'utterly unidentifiable' | — |
Countries
Japan
Outcome results
None listed