Trigger Point Dry Needling vs Trigger Point Dry Needling With Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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trigger point dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation vs trigger point dry needling

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate if trigger point dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation is more effective in decreasing pain and disability in individuals with sub-acute and chronic low back pain (LBP) than with trigger point dry needling alone. The investigators are using a within subjects randomized crossover study that will recruit 30 active duty military personnel or beneficiaries from William Beaumont Army Medical Center and all associated clinics. The investigators hypothesize that individuals with LBP will exhibit larger improvements in pain and disability when receiving trigger point dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation than when receiving trigger point dry needling alone.

Official Title
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Trigger Point Dry Needling vs Trigger Point Dry Needling With Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Sub-acute and Chronic Low Back Pain in a Military Population: A Randomized Crossover Design

Conditions
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Sub-acute and Chronic Low Back Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: trigger point dry needling
* Device: Electrical Stimulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Currently experience low back pain for greater than 4 weeks (Low back pain defined as pain below the T12th vertebrae with or without radiation) Military or DOD Beneficiary (any branch; 18-65 years of age) Exclusion Criteria: Structural Deformity (ankylosing Spondylitis, Scoliosis) Has any other Orthopedic condition that may keep subject from performing Low - Back Exercises Tumors Spinal infection or local infection Pregnancy-All female subjects will be given either a blood serum or urine pregnancy test. Spinal cord compression or Cauda Equina Syndrome Subject with the inability to keep appointments Has History of prior surgery Has received Dry Needling or Acupuncture in the last 6 months History of bleeding disorders High anti-coagulant use History of immune suppression

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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Treatment group 1<br>In this group participants will receive trigger point dry needling with electrical stimulation first and receive trigger point needling by itself second. Only MYOTECH dry needles will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment. | Device: trigger point dry needling<br>* placement of the dry needle into the muscle tissue to elicit a local twitch response. Only MYOTECH dry needles and ESTIM II dual channel stimulator will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment.<br>Device: Electrical Stimulation<br>* uses the dry needles as nodes to stimulate muscular contraction. Only MYOTECH dry needles and ESTIM II dual channel stimulator will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Treatment Group 2<br>In this group the participants will receive trigger point dry needling first and receive trigger point dry needling with electrical stimulation second. Only MYOTECH dry needles and ESTIM II dual channel stimulator will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment. | Device: trigger point dry needling<br>* placement of the dry needle into the muscle tissue to elicit a local twitch response. Only MYOTECH dry needles and ESTIM II dual channel stimulator will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment.<br>Device: Electrical Stimulation<br>* uses the dry needles as nodes to stimulate muscular contraction. Only MYOTECH dry needles and ESTIM II dual channel stimulator will be used in this study. However we are not studying the equipment.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Numeric Pain Rating Scale to assess change | an 11 point scale on which the participant will grade their pain | Baseline and before and after each treatment session, duration per subject is approximately 3 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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dry needling, electrical stimulation, E-Stim, LBP, low back pain, trigger point, chronic, subacute