An interventional study of 26G Needle and 30 Gauge Needle in Myofacial Trigger Points, sponsored by Medipol University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-09.
Sponsored by Medipol University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized split-face study aims to compare the effects of 26G and 30G needles used for masseter trigger point injections with lidocaine in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Both needle sizes are routinely used in clinical practice. Pain reduction from baseline to day 14 will be compared between the two sides of the face. Secondary outcomes include pain reduction at day 7, procedural pain, injection-site tenderness at 48 hours, bruising, and patient preference. The split-face design allows both needle sizes to be evaluated in the same patient, minimizing individual differences.
Both 26G and 30G needles were routinely used for masseter trigger point injection in our clinic. Comparing these gauges under otherwise standardized conditions may help clarify whether needle selection affects short-term pain reduction, procedural pain, and patient preference. A randomized split-face design permits this comparison within the same patient, reducing the influence of differences between individuals.
The primary objective of this study was to compare the within-patient reduction in palpation-evoked masseter pain between sides treated with 26G and 30G needles from baseline to day 14 following lidocaine injection. Secondary objectives were to compare pain reduction at day 7, overall procedural pain, injection-site tenderness at 48 hours, ecchymosis, and patient preference.
339 studies on the registry are indexed under Myofascial Pain Syndromes; 66 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 50 across 307 interventional studies indexed under Myofascial Pain Syndromes.
Browse Myofascial Pain Syndromes studies →Medipol University is the lead sponsor of 326 studies on the registry; 88 are open to participants now.
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Adults aged 18-65 years.
Bilateral masseter myofascial pain persisting for at least 8 weeks.
Baseline palpation-evoked pain score of ≥6 on an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) on each side.
Presence of at least one active myofascial trigger point within a palpable taut band in each masseter muscle, reproducing the patient's familiar pain.
Diagnosis established according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD).
No previous treatment for masseter myofascial pain.
Exclusion Criteria:
Known allergy to local anesthetics.
Pregnancy or lactation.
Active infection, open lesion, or at the injection site.
Bleeding diathesis or use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications.
Inability to cooperate with study procedures.
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
All participants received bilateral masseter trigger point injections in a single session. A 26-gauge (26G) needle was randomly assigned to one masseter muscle and a 30-gauge (30G) needle to the contralateral masseter muscle using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Each masseter received 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor using a standardized injection technique. The right masseter was injected first in all participants. Participants and the outcome assessor were blinded to needle-gauge allocation, whereas the injecting clinician was not blinded.
Device: 26G Needle
All participants received bilateral masseter trigger point injections in a single session. A 26-gauge (26G) needle was randomly assigned to one masseter muscle and a 30-gauge (30G) needle to the contralateral masseter muscle using a computer-generated randomization sequence. Each masseter received 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor using a standardized injection technique. The right masseter was injected first in all participants. Participants and the outcome assessor were blinded to needle-gauge allocation, whereas the injecting clinician was not blinded.
Device: 30 Gauge Needle
A 26-gauge (0.45 × 13 mm) needle was used for masseter trigger point injection. A total of 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor was administered using a standardized injection technique.
A 30-gauge (0.45 × 13 mm) needle was used for masseter trigger point injection. A total of 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine without vasoconstrictor was administered using a standardized injection technique.
Between-Needle Difference in Palpation-Evoked Masseter Pain Reduction From Baseline to Day 14
Palpation-evoked masseter pain was assessed separately on each side using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). At baseline and day 14, pain was recorded at the most painful trigger point identified during each assessment. Pain reduction was calculated as baseline NRS minus day 14 NRS for each side. The primary outcome was the within-participant difference in pain reduction between the 30G and 26G needle interventions (30G minus 26G). Positive values indicated greater pain reduction with 30G.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 14 (14 days after injection)
Between-Needle Difference in Palpation-Evoked Masseter Pain Reduction at Day 7
Palpation-evoked masseter pain was assessed separately on each side using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Pain reduction was calculated as baseline NRS minus day 7 NRS for each side. The within-participant difference in pain reduction between the 30G and 26G needle interventions was calculated as 30G minus 26G. Positive values indicated greater pain reduction with 30G.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 7
Overall Procedural Pain During Masseter Trigger Point Injection
Overall procedural pain was assessed separately for the 26G and 30G needle interventions using an 11-point Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants rated the entire injection procedure, including skin penetration, intramuscular needle manipulation, and lidocaine administration. Pain was recorded within 60 seconds after each injection. Within-participant pain scores were compared between needle gauges.
Time frame: Day 0 (within 60 seconds after each injection)
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