Clinical trial NCT03689283: The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Trigger Points
Official title: The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Latent Trigger Points
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial
Lead sponsor: Regis University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2018-09-28
Enrollment: 102
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 50
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: FACTORIAL
Intervention model description: Prospective randomized controlled trial
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This study would be the first study to assess the immediate effects of dry needling of latent trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle stiffness, gait, range of motion, and strength. The study has the potential to demonstrate that dry needling may have immediate effects on mechanical properties of muscle and may thus guide future treatment for individuals with changes in muscle tissue secondary to pain and/or injury.

Detailed description: Participants will complete the following tests: muscle stiffness testing in both a relaxed and contracted position, GAITRite for spatial and temporal gait characteristics, the Ankle Lunge Test (ALT) to assess range of motion, and calf strength using a dynamometer. Subjects will then receive treatment according to which group they are randomized. Muscle stiffness, gait, motion and strength will be reassessed immediately following treatment at the first session. Four to10 days later, participants will complete the same tests and measures prior to treatment being administered a second time. Another 4-10 days after the second session, participants will complete the tests and measures one final time.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-50 years
2. Able to read and speak sufficient English to complete consent form
3. Symmetrical gait pattern demonstrated through observation
4. Presence of latent trigger point in gastrocnemius muscle

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Any prior foot/ankle surgery, deformity, or injury on the which would affect strength of the gastrocnemius
2. Any prior acupuncture or dry needling within the past month
3. History of systemic disorder in which dry needling would be contraindicated (i.e. bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medication use)
4. Have fractures of the spine, hip, or knee that would likely affect their weight bearing or gait
5. Restrictions in plantar flexion range of motion which would inhibit performing a heel raise
6. No specific calf injury in the past 6 months
7. Participants known or thought to be pregnant

Primary outcomes:
measure: MyotonPRO
timeFrame: 2 years
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Knee to wall
timeFrame: 2 years
measure: GAITRite
timeFrame: 2 years
measure: Handheld dynamometer
timeFrame: 2 years
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Denver
country: United States
facility: Regis University
state: Colorado
Study officials:
affiliation: Regis University
name: Stephanie Albin, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Ballyns JJ, Turo D, Otto P, Shah JP, Hammond J, Gebreab T, Gerber LH, Sikdar S. Office-based elastographic technique for quantifying mechanical properties of skeletal muscle. J Ultrasound Med. 2012 Aug;31(8):1209-19. doi: 10.7863/jum.2012.31.8.1209.
citation: Bandy WD, Nelson R, Beamer L. COMPARISON OF DRY NEEDLING VS. SHAM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF VERTICAL JUMP. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2017 Oct;12(5):747-751.
citation: Chuang LL, Wu CY, Lin KC. Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of myotonometric measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness in patients with stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2012 Mar;93(3):532-40. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2011.09.014. Epub 2012 Jan 4.
citation: Furlan AD, van Tulder M, Cherkin D, Tsukayama H, Lao L, Koes B, Berman B. Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain: an updated systematic review within the framework of the cochrane collaboration. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Apr 15;30(8):944-63. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000158941.21571.01.