Effect of Dry Needling Multifidus on Thickness of Transversus Abdominis in Healthy Individuals

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Intramuscular therapy (also known as dry needling) has been shown to give dramatic relief of musculoskeletal pain. The mechanisms of action remain unknown, and this study will examine for a neurophysiological effect.

Detailed Description
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Consenting adults will be taught how to contract their abdominal muscles, and to contract transversus abdominis in particular. They will then have real time ultrasound measurements of the resting and contracted thickness of their left transversus abdominis muscle. After this, they will receive actual or sham needling to their left multifidus muscle by another researchers blinded to the real time ultrasound measurements. After needling or sham intervention is complete, the original researchers will return to re-measure transversus abdominis. They will be blind to intervention allocation.

Official Title
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The Effect of Trigger Point Dry Needling to the Multifidus Muscle on Resting and Contracted Thickness of Transversus Abdominis in Healthy Subjects

Conditions
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Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Dry needling
* Procedure: Sham needling


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age, absence of back pain or symptoms for greater than 6 months and ability to perform DCC. Subjects must also report they are comfortable with being 'needled'. Exclusion Criteria: Presence of back pain or symptoms within the last 6 months, history of: abdominal or spinal surgery, significant scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, active ankylosing spondylitis. If a subject reports a fear of needles.

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: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Dry needling<br>Monofilament needles will be inserted into each subject's left multifidus muscle and stimulated mechanically for a local twitch response | Procedure: Dry needling<br>* Sterile monofilament needles<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham needling<br>Monofilament tubes will be pressed into the left multifidus muscle and mechanically manipulated to give the sensation that needling is occuring. | Procedure: Sham needling<br>* Applicator tubes from the sterile monofilament needles<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thickness of transversus abdominis at rest and during contraction | Real time ultrasound measurement | 1 day | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Back pain