Clinical trial NCT04968236: Dry Needling Versus Conservative Treatment in the Rectus Femoris Muscle Approach.
Official title: Application of the Deep Versus Superficial Dry Needling and Stretching Technique in the Treatment of the Quadriceps Rectus Femoris Muscle.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Dry Needling
Stretch
Rectus Femoris Muscle
Keywords: Deep Dry needling
Superficial dry needling
muscle stretching
rectus femoris
Lead sponsor: University of Alcala
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2021-07-20
Enrollment: 90
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: In recent years, dry needling techniques have become widespread in the field of musculoskeletal pain treatment. Specifically, the management of myofascial trigger points has been the focus of these techniques.

One of the objectives has been to improve the flexibility of those muscles that, due to the presence of myofascial trigger points, had a decrease in this parameter.

This study aims to determine whether the application of a dry needling technique is more effective than analytical stretching of the muscle.

Detailed description: Hypothesis of the study Deep dry needling of latent trigger points of the rectus femoris produces greater effects on flexibility, strength and pain than superficial dry needling or stretching.

- Overall objective: To compare the differences that occur in flexibility, strength and pain threshold to pressure after the application of deep dry needling, superficial dry needling and stretching on latent trigger points of the rectus femoris.

- Specific objectives To determine the changes produced by deep dry needling on flexibility, strength and pain threshold to pressure.

To determine the changes produced by superficial dry needling on flexibility, strength and pain threshold to pressure.

To determine the changes in flexibility, strength and pain threshold to pressure produced by conventional assisted stretching.

To check if the changes remain after 7 days of the application of the techniques.

To assess the inter-rater reliability of the Goniometer APP in the study sample.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Men and women between 18 and 65 years old.
2. To have at least 70º of knee flexion.
3. Be aware of and accept the study criteria (informed consent).
4. Healthy subjects, without previous hip or knee pathology or involved musculature.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. To have pain.
2. Having pain in the quadriceps or hip at the time of the study.
3. Currently following physiotherapy or analgesic treatment.
4. Belenophobia (fear of needles).
5. Recent surgery or trauma in the area.
6. Pregnancy.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Knee joint range
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 7 days
measure: Muscle strength
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 7 days
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 7 days
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Alcalá De Henares
country: Spain
facility: Centro Investigación Fisioterapia y Dolor
state: Madrid
city: Alcalá de Henares
country: Spain
facility: Physiotherapy and Pain Institute
state: Madrid
Study officials:
References: