Comparison Of The Efficacy Of Interfascial Hydrodissection With A Mixture Of Lidocaine And Physiological Saline Solution Wıth 10% Dextrose In Patients With Chronic Neck Pain Associated With Resistant Myofascial Trigger Points In The Upper Trapezius
Phase: NA
Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial, Neck Pain
Sponsor: Ankara University

Comparison Of The Efficacy Of Interfascial Hydrodissection With A Mixture Of 
Lidocaine And Physiological Saline Solution Wıth 10% Dextrose In Patients With 
Chronic Neck Pain Associated With Resistant Myofascial Trıgger Points In The Upper 
Trapezius 
Dr. Server Fidelya Ekmekçi1, MD,  Cevriye Mülkoğlu, MD1 
1 University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical 
Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey  
Corresponding Author 
Server Fidelya Ekmekçi, MD 
Address: University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of 
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Talatpaşa street, No: 128, 06230, Ankara, Turkey 
Telephone number: +90 5537990998 
E-mail: ekmekcifidelya@gmail.com 
Orcid number: 0009-0000-4983-5111 
Cevriye Mülkoğlu, Assoc. Prof.  
Address: University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of 
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Talatpaşa street, No: 128, 06230, Ankara, Turkey 
Telephone number: +90 5327175597  
E-mail: drckaraca@hotmail.com 
Orcid number: 0000-0001-9113-3885 
Date: March 26, 2026 

Comparison Of The Efficacy Of Interfascial Hydrodissection With A Mixture Of 
Lidocaine And Physiological Saline Solution Wıth 10% Dextrose In Patients With 
Chronic Neck Pain Associated With Resistant Myofascial Trıgger Points In The Upper 
Trapezius 
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of fascial hydrodissection with 10% 
dextrose or lidocaine-saline on pain, neck functions, and quality of daily life in patients with 
chronic neck pain due to resistant myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle 
unresponsive to conservative treatments, and to determine whether one solution is superior to 
the other.  
Materials and Methods: This prospective, comparative clinical study began with the 
evaluation of 193 patients diagnosed with chronic neck pain secondary to myofascial pain 
syndrome (MPS). A total of 119 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled, and 
analyses were performed on 96 patients who completed the follow-up. Patients were divided 
into two treatment groups according to their own preferences. The first group underwent 
interfascial hydrodissection with 10% dextrose, and the second group with lidocaine-saline. 
All participants were instructed in self-massage and stretching exercises to perform at home to 
support treatment efficacy. Interventions were performed under ultrasound guidance, targeting 
the specified interfascial plane. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, at 10 minutes 
posttreatment (visual analog scale (VAS), servical range of motion (ROM); and at 1-month 
and 3-month follow-ups (VAS, ROM, neck disability index (NDI), short form (SF)-12).  
Statistical Analysis  
The SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows) 27.0 program was used for 
statistical analyses when evaluating the findings obtained in the study. Before starting the 
study, the sample size was calculated using the G*Power 3.1.9.6 (Franz Faul, University of 

Kiel, Kiel, Germany) software package. Accordingly, considering a 5% α error margin and an 
effect size of 0.80, it was predicted that at least 28 patients (56 patients in total) would be 
included in each group at a 90% power level to detect differences between the groups. In line 
with clinical predictions, it was planned to include 40 patients in each group (80 patients in 
total) for an effect size of 0.80. 3.4.2.  
Descriptive statistics for continuous variables are presented as mean and standard deviation, 
while descriptive statistics for categorical data are presented as frequency and percentage. 
Independent samples t-tests and Mann Whitney U tests were used for the comparative 
analysis of continuous data. Friedman tests and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks tests were used to 
compare pre- and post-measurements of continuous variables. Correlation analysis was 
performed for the relationship of continuous variables. The chi-square test was used for the 
relationship analysis of categorical variables. p<0.05 is considered statistically significant.