The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Trigger Points

Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Latent Trigger Points

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03689283
• Other study ID #: RegisU
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 25, 2018
• Est. completion date: January 21, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: January 2020
• Source: Regis University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study would be the first study to assess the immediate effects of dry needling of latent trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle stiffness, gait, range of motion, and strength. The study has the potential to demonstrate that dry needling may have immediate effects on mechanical properties of muscle and may thus guide future treatment for individuals with changes in muscle tissue secondary to pain and/or injury.

Description:

Participants will complete the following tests: muscle stiffness testing in both a relaxed and contracted position, GAITRite for spatial and temporal gait characteristics, the Ankle Lunge Test (ALT) to assess range of motion, and calf strength using a dynamometer. Subjects will then receive treatment according to which group they are randomized. Muscle stiffness, gait, motion and strength will be reassessed immediately following treatment at the first session. Four to10 days later, participants will complete the same tests and measures prior to treatment being administered a second time. Another 4-10 days after the second session, participants will complete the tests and measures one final time.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 102
• Est. completion date: January 21, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: December 31, 2019
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 50 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-50 years

2. Able to read and speak sufficient English to complete consent form

3. Symmetrical gait pattern demonstrated through observation

4. Presence of latent trigger point in gastrocnemius muscle

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any prior foot/ankle surgery, deformity, or injury on the which would affect strength of the gastrocnemius

2. Any prior acupuncture or dry needling within the past month

3. History of systemic disorder in which dry needling would be contraindicated (i.e. bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medication use)

4. Have fractures of the spine, hip, or knee that would likely affect their weight bearing or gait

5. Restrictions in plantar flexion range of motion which would inhibit performing a heel raise

6. No specific calf injury in the past 6 months

7. Participants known or thought to be pregnant

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Intervention

Other:
• Dry Needling
Individuals randomized to the Dry Needling Group will receive dry needling to latent trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle
• Sham Dry Needlling
Individuals randomized to the Control group will receive sham needling to the gastrocnemius muscle

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Regis University	Denver	Colorado

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Regis University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (4)

Ballyns JJ, Turo D, Otto P, Shah JP, Hammond J, Gebreab T, Gerber LH, Sikdar S. Office-based elastographic technique for quantifying mechanical properties of skeletal muscle. J Ultrasound Med. 2012 Aug;31(8):1209-19. — View Citation

Bandy WD, Nelson R, Beamer L. COMPARISON OF DRY NEEDLING VS. SHAM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF VERTICAL JUMP. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct;12(5):747-751. — View Citation

Chuang LL, Wu CY, Lin KC. Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of myotonometric measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness in patients with stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Mar;93(3):532-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.09.014. Epub 2012 Jan 4. — View Citation

Furlan AD, van Tulder M, Cherkin D, Tsukayama H, Lao L, Koes B, Berman B. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain: an updated systematic review within the framework of the cochrane collaboration. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Apr 15;30(8):944-63. Review. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	MyotonPRO	Muscle stiffness will be measured in both a resting and contracted state utilizing this non-invasive device	2 years
Secondary	Knee to wall	Group by time differences will be assessed for talocrural motion (knee to wall)	2 years
Secondary	GAITRite	Group by time differences will be assessed for gait variables (utilizing the GAITRite 6-meter mat)	2 years
Secondary	Handheld dynamometer	Group by time differences will be assessed for strength of the gastrosoleus complex (utilizing a handheld dynamometer)	2 years