Muscle Activity and Kinematic Changes With Dry Needling

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study assesses the effects of dry needling with electrical stimulation to the low back on muscle activity and changes in movement. The investigators hypothesize that dry needling and electrical stimulation will elicit changes in muscle activity as well as changes in movement.

Detailed Description
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This study will utilize a Vicon motion capture system in conjunction with a Noraxon wireless surface electromyography system to analyze movements and muscle activity of each participant pre and post needling.

Official Title
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Changes in Muscle Activity, Squat, and Gait Kinematics After Dry Needling Treatment of the Low Back: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Dry needling with electrical stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: English speaking individuals between the ages of 18 and 60 years old without current complaint of low back pain no history of low back or lower extremity surgery Exclusion Criteria: individuals with current complaint of low back pain, lumbar radicular symptoms history of low back surgery or lower extremity surgery pregnancy or planning to become pregnant, currently taking immunosuppressant or anticoagulation use with INR not within therapeutic range needle phobia osteoporosis will be excluded

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: single group pre-test/post-test study design
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Dry needling with electrical stimulation<br>Use of dry needles (this is the generic name for sterile, solid filament needles) are inserted into the lumbar multifidi. Intramuscular electrical stimulation will then be applied by attaching a six-lead electrical stimulation unit to the needles. Electrical stimulation will be applied through the needles at the participant's desired frequency (between 4-6 Hz) and for up to 10 minutes total. | Other: Dry needling with electrical stimulation<br>* Paravertebral dry needling to L3, 4, 5 multifidi. Electrical stimulation will be applied through the needles for up to 10 minutes total or to the participant's tolerance.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle activity changes | activity measured and quantified from the amplitude (mV) of the surface EMG electrodes | pre/ post dry needling treatment. Participants' EMG will be recorded over a series of movements of the lumbar spine, will immediately be dry needled with electrical stimulation for up to 10 minutes, then will be immediately reassessed. Total time 2 hours | 
| Kinematic changes | Measurement of lumbopelvic angles during range of motion activities | Participants kinematics will be recorded over a series of movements of the lumbar spine, will immediately be dry needled with electrical stimulation for up to 10 minutes, then will be immediately reassessed. Total time 2 hours | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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lumbar multifidi, dry needling, electromyography, kinematic