Optimal Time for In-situ Dry Needling to Affect the Autonomic Nervous System

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Assessing for optimal time dry needles need to remain inside the body to have positive effect on the nervous system

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to determine what most optimal dry needling duration effect on the autonomic nervous system. Design: The researchers will conduct a pilot study to assess the effect of dry needling on the autonomic nervous system

Official Title
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Optimal Time for In-situ Dry Needling to Affect the Autonomic Nervous System: A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Dry needling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 18-65 years old No pain at all anywhere in the body at the time of testing. No caffeine containing products 3 hours before measurement and no use of over the counter Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) before the testing. Exclusion Criteria: Red flags identified during the subjects intake. If needling is contraindicated the subjects will be removed from the study and if necessary will be referred to an appropriate health care provider. Use of blood thinners History of surgery and or injury within the past six weeks Evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes), etc. Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Dry needling or Acupuncture treatment for their neck pain in the last 3-months Inability to follow directions and keep the eye open during the measurement phase of this study

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

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: study group<br>Study group receiving dry needling and pupil diameter will be studied up to 23 minutes after needle placement. | Procedure: Dry needling<br>* Paravertebral dry needling C7-T4. Total of 8 needles.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pupil diameter | Change in pupil diameter measured with automated pupillometry device from Micromedical. | 1.) 1 minute measure will be taken after accommodation of 2 minutes to the dark environment, 2.) needle placement and an immediate 1 minute second measure, 3.) every 2 minutes a measure of 1 minute to 8 post needle measures (24 minutes) total | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Dry needling, Autonomic nervous system, pupillometry