Short-Term Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Neuromuscular Control in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

• Registration Number: NCT07039240
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

Brief Summary

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of dry needling on neuromuscular control in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during a single-leg vertical drop landing task. Participants in the intervention group will receive dry needling, while those in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention.

The main research question is:

• Can dry needling induce changes in muscle activation, co-contraction magnitude, and biomechanical parameters during landing?

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2025-03-03
• Primary Completion: 2025-04-30
• Status Verified: 2025-06
• Study Completion: 2025-06-11
• Study First Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-06-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-18
• Study First Posted: 2025-06-26
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
• Successful return to recreational sports participation
• For the experimental group, participants must present at least one active or latent trigger point in the vastus medialis (VM) and/or vastus lateralis (VL) muscles on the side ipsilateral to the ligament reconstruction.

Exclusion Criteria

• Peripheral or central neurological disorders
• Systemic or degenerative diseases
• Fibromyalgia
• Iron deficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Belonephobia
• Contraindications to dry needling
• History of dry needling treatment in the lower limbs

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Co-contraction Index	Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and 10 minutes post-intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), School of Health of Polytechnic of Porto; 🇵🇹 Porto, Portugal