Triceps Surae Trigger Point Size and Muscle Extensibility

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Limited Dorsiflexion; Limited Ankle Range of Motion
• Interventions: Procedure: Dry Needling; Procedure: Stretching

• Registration Number: NCT02087969
• Lead Sponsor: Duke University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of dry needling in improving ankle range of motion and functional outcomes. There have been an increasing number of studies on dry needling as an intervention for pain but none thus far that have studied functional outcome measures of the ankle. The study will include healthy male subjects between the ages of 18-30 years old randomized in to 3 intervention groups of: dry needling of the triceps surae, triceps surae stretching only, dry needling and stretching. The subjects who receive dry needling as an intervention will have the trigger point identified and dry needling performed while under musculoskeletal ultrasound visualization. The subjects will undergo pre and post intervention testing including Lower Quarter Y-Balance test, passive ankle dorsiflexion, closed chain half kneeling dorsiflexion, standing dorsiflexion, deep squat, multisegmental flexion as well as Marx Activity Level Scale. There will be 3 days between the initial testing/intervention and follow up. These outcomes will be the primary variables of interest. Ultrasound, Y balance testing, self stretching, and range of motion measurements are safe and pose no risk to the subject. Dry Needling has been found to be very safe and effective in the hands of physical therapists with a calculated risk of adverse events to be less than 0.04%.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-03-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-03-12
• Study First Posted: 2014-03-14
• Study Start: 2014-04
• Primary Completion: 2015-01
• Study Completion: 2015-01
• Status Verified: 2015-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-12-13
• Last Update Posted: 2017-12-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

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

Inclusion Criteria

• Male
• 18-30 Years Old
• No history of ankle surgery
• No current ankle injuries

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Exclusion Criteria

• hypothyroidism
• fibromyalgia
• connective tissue disorders
• chronic pain
• bleeding disorders including use of anti-coagulants
• vitamin D and B12 deficiencies
• active sites of cancer
• local or systemic infections
• local skin lesions, local lymphedema
• peripheral vascular disease including varicose veins
• compromised immune system
• needle phobia

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Dry Needling	Dry Needling	Dry Needling to Triceps Surae
Stretching	Stretching	Subjects will be given a home exercise program of stretches which are commonly prescribed to improve ankle dorsiflexion.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of Ankle Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion	Baseline and 10 Minutes	Ankle range of motion measures will be record before and immediately after the intervention.
Change in Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion	Baseline and 3 Days	Ankle dorsiflexion will again be measured at three days after the intervention to determine short term effectiveness of results.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Y-Balance Test for the Lower Quarter	Baseline and 20 Minutes	Test of balance and functional performance of lower extremities.
Change in Y Balance Test for the Lower Quarter	Baseline and 3 Days	Y Balance Test for the Lower Quarter will be assessed again at 3 days after the intervention to assess short term effectiveness.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Duke Sports Medicine; 🇺🇸 Durham, North Carolina, United States