An interventional study of intratissue percutaneous electrolysis and deep dry needling in Whiplash Injuries, sponsored by Camilo Jose Cela University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-26.
Sponsored by Camilo Jose Cela University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The main objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of two interventions (PIE vs DDN) in adult patients who have suffered a LCS after a traffic accident and comparing it with a standard physiotherapy program. As a secondary objective, the investigators will analyze the reduction of intrafibrillar blood flow and muscle elasticity perceived by the patient in the long term and the reduction of pain and disability appreciated by the patient.
It is hypothesized as an alternative hypothesis that percutaneous electrolysis and/or deep dry needling intervention in combination with standard physiotherapy will give better clinical outcomes in patients with active trigger point LCS following a road traffic accident compared to the current standard physiotherapy intervention.
The researchers will compare both invasive physical therapy techniques with standard treatment to see if these techniques are more effective in treating whiplash syndrome.
The present study primarily aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of two invasive physiotherapy techniques-percutaneous intratissue electrolysis (PIE) and deep dry needling (DDN)-combined with conventional physiotherapy, compared to a standard physiotherapy program in adult patients who have sustained a whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) following a motor vehicle accident.
Whiplash injury is one of the most common musculoskeletal sequelae after traffic accidents, often leading to chronic pain and functional disability. The heterogeneity of clinical responses and the persistence of symptoms underscore the need for optimized therapeutic strategies supported by high-quality evidence.
This prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include three parallel intervention arms:
Control group: standard physiotherapy based on therapeutic exercise and manual therapy techniques.
Experimental group 1: standard physiotherapy + PIE intervention.
Experimental group 2: standard physiotherapy + DDN intervention.
The study population will consist of adult subjects diagnosed with WAD and the presence of active myofascial trigger points in the cervical musculature. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups, and interventions will be administered over a predetermined period, with follow-up assessments scheduled at both short- and long-term intervals.
Secondary outcomes include:
Changes in intrafibrillar blood flow Patient-reported muscle elasticity, Self-reported pain levels Functional disability
The alternative hypothesis proposes that the application of invasive techniques (PIE or DDN) as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy will yield superior clinical outcomes in terms of pain reduction, functional improvement, and muscle parameter normalization when compared to standard physiotherapy alone.
This study aims to generate robust scientific evidence regarding the comparative efficacy of these interventions and to inform clinical decision-making in the rehabilitative management of post-traumatic whiplash-associated disorders.
68 studies on the registry are indexed under Whiplash Injuries; 8 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 36 is below the median of 68 across 49 interventional studies indexed under Whiplash Injuries.
Browse Whiplash Injuries studies →Camilo Jose Cela University is the lead sponsor of 22 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this group will receive standard physical therapy sessions, including manual techniques, massage therapy and mobility exercises.
Procedure: Standard physiotherapy
Participants in this group will receive physiotherapy sessions using the Percutaneous Intratisular Electrolysis (EPI) technique,
Other: intratissue percutaneous electrolysis
Participants in this group will receive physiotherapy sessions using the dry puncture technique applied to active trigger points.
Other: deep dry needling
Using fine needles guided by ultrasound to apply electrical stimulation directly to the affected tissue (for example, damaged muscles or tendons).
Insertion of fine needles into muscle trigger points (without injection of drugs) to relieve muscle pain and release tension.
It includes manual techniques such as therapeutic massage and mobilization, along with stretching and strengthening exercises to improve range of motion and reduce pain.
Intrafibrillar blood flow
To assess intrafibrillar blood flow, the ultrasound tool is used, with color Doppler. the hypervascularity of small vessels in the inflamed synovial tissue of the structures is evaluated. Measurements are expressed in liters per minute (l/min).
Time frame: From the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks and at 3 months
Elasticity of muscle fibers
Elastography is used to evaluate the elasticity of muscle fibers. It is a grayscale ultrasound technique that is superimposed on the color parametric image that expresses the rate of tissue deformation.Making it possible to express the stiffness and elasticity of the tissue in units of pressure (kilopascals).
Time frame: From the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks and at 3 months
Pain perceived by the patient
Pain is a quantitative variable. The investigators will use the numerical evaluation scale (EN), which consists of a numbered scale from 1 -10.
Time frame: From the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks and at 3 months
Pain perceived by the patient
Another pain variable is the pressure pain threshold (PPT), which is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with a present injury and a pressure algometer will be used. Measurements are expressed in kg/cm2.
Time frame: From the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks and at 3 months
Disability
To assess disability, the investigators will use the Whiplash Disability Questionnaire (WDQ) scale. It is the first instrument for patients with whiplash syndrome, which includes items related to areas of life, personal care and work and those related to the perception of pain. This questionnaire consists of 13 items, scored from 0 to 10 points.
Time frame: From the beginning of treatment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks and at 3 months
No study locations are listed for this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Camilo Jose Cela University