The Effect of Trigger Point Dry Needling to the Multifidus Muscle on Resting and Contracted Thickness of Transversus Abdominis in Healthy Subjects
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 60
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Thickness of transversus abdominis at rest and during contraction
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Intramuscular therapy (also known as dry needling) has been shown to give dramatic relief of musculoskeletal pain. The mechanisms of action remain unknown, and this study will examine for a neurophysiological effect.
Detailed Description
Consenting adults will be taught how to contract their abdominal muscles, and to contract transversus abdominis in particular. They will then have real time ultrasound measurements of the resting and contracted thickness of their left transversus abdominis muscle. After this, they will receive actual or sham needling to their left multifidus muscle by another researchers blinded to the real time ultrasound measurements. After needling or sham intervention is complete, the original researchers will return to re-measure transversus abdominis. They will be blind to intervention allocation.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Basic Science
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 60 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Age, absence of back pain or symptoms for greater than 6 months and ability to perform DCC. Subjects must also report they are comfortable with being 'needled'.
Exclusion Criteria
- •Presence of back pain or symptoms within the last 6 months, history of: abdominal or spinal surgery, significant scoliosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, active ankylosing spondylitis. If a subject reports a fear of needles.
Arms & Interventions
Dry needling
Monofilament needles will be inserted into each subject's left multifidus muscle and stimulated mechanically for a local twitch response
Intervention: Dry needling (Procedure)
Sham needling
Monofilament tubes will be pressed into the left multifidus muscle and mechanically manipulated to give the sensation that needling is occuring.
Intervention: Sham needling (Procedure)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Thickness of transversus abdominis at rest and during contraction
Time Frame: 1 day
Real time ultrasound measurement
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Emilio
Dr. Emilio J. Puentedura
University of Nevada, Las Vegas