Virtual Reality in Invasive Techniques in Physiotherapy

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Pain
• Interventions: Other: Dry needling; Other: Dry needling and immersive virtual reality

• Registration Number: NCT06448104
• Lead Sponsor: University of Valencia

Brief Summary

Dry needling is a common physical therapy technique that uses solid acupuncture needles that are repeatedly inserted and removed into the human body. These techniques, despite their benefits, can cause pain. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of virtual reality as a distractor in invasive techniques in physiotherapy. The hypothesis is that the use of immersive virtual reality, evoking relaxation situations, will reduce the sensation of pain during and/or after the technique. To do this, healthy participants will be recruited and the participants will be divided into two groups (experimental and control). Participants in the experimental group will undergo the dry needling technique on latent myofascial trigger points along with the use of immersive virtual reality. The same technique will be performed on participants in the control group but without the use of virtual reality. Pain during and after puncture and strength after puncture will be evaluated.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-05-31
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-06-06
• Study First Posted: 2024-06-07
• Study Start: 2024-09-03
• Primary Completion: 2025-02-06
• Study Completion: 2025-02-06
• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Have at least one identifiable latent myofascial trigger point in the muscles studied

Exclusion Criteria

• Suffer any musculoskeletal or neural alteration that could alter the results obtained
• Suffer from belonephobia or extreme and uncontrollable fear of sharp objects

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Standard dry needling	Dry needling	Participants assigned to "Standard dry needling" group will undergo a first session in which the dry needling technique will be performed and the results will be recorded. After two weeks, these participants will repeat the dry needling and evaluation session, in this case adding a previous exercise session.
Dry needling and immersive virtual reality	Dry needling and immersive virtual reality	Participants assigned to "Dry needling and immersive virtual reality" group will carry out a first session in which the dry needling technique will be performed together with immersive virtual reality and the results will be recorded. Likewise, after two weeks, these participants will repeat the dry needling session (with virtual reality) and evaluation, adding a previous exercise session.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain during dry needling	Immediately after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)	Pain perception during dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain after dry needling	Immediately after technique application; 30 minutes after technique application; 1 hour after technique application; 6 hours after technique application; 24 hours after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)	Pain after dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)
Pain pressure threshold	Before technique; Immediately after technique; 30 minutes after technique; 60 minutes after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)	Pain pressure threshold measured using an algometer
Strength	Before technique; Immediately after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)	Strength measured using a hand-held dynamometer

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia; 🇪🇸 Valencia, Spain