Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Linear Scar Tissue

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Dry Needling; Scar Tissue; Hypertrophic Surgical Scar; Hypertrophic Scar; Hypertrophic Scar of Upper Arm (Disorder)
• Interventions: Other: True dry needling; Other: Sham dry needling

• Registration Number: NCT06033430
• Lead Sponsor: Iran University of Medical Sciences

Brief Summary

Scar tissue can cause serious complications that significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Common complications include stiffness and contractions, which can restrict joint mobility and make daily activities challenging. In severe cases, these limitations can even prevent patients from fulfilling their work responsibilities or engaging in activities they enjoy. The deleterious effect of scar tissue on a patient's well-being is of utmost significance. However, several therapeutic approaches have been proposed to manage scar tissue complications. Enhancing scar tissue compliance can help patients regain their functional abilities and reduce limitations. One such approach is dry needling, a technique used to improve the flexibility of myofascial tightness. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of dry needling in improving scar tissue compliance remains debatable. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of dry needling on complications resulting from linear hypertrophic scars caused by surgery or trauma.

Detailed Description

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling on hypertrophic scar tissue compliance using a compliance meter. The secondary objectives of the study are to evaluate active and passive range of motion, pain, and functional disability.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

This study is a two-centered, randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Eighty participants with hypertrophic scar tissue will be randomly assigned into two groups with equal sample size. Random allocation will be performed using the permuted block randomization method, consisting of four-letter blocks made of letters A and B. The random treatment list obtained at the end of the random allocation task will be placed in letters A and B inside sealed and numbered envelopes. The random assignment process will be performed by someone outside the research team before the study begins.

PROCEDURE:

Eligible participants will be asked to complete an intake form providing demographic data such as age, gender, height, weight, occupation, and questions related to their scar tissue (onset, injury mechanism, location, duration, and whether it causes pain). The principal investigator will confirm each participant's eligibility. Next, each participant will complete a pain and functional disability questionnaire. After gathering subjective information, tissue compliance data and active and passive range of motion near the nearest joint next to the scar tissue will be collected. The outcome measurements will be administered in an order of tissue compliance, followed by joint active and passive range of motion.

INTERVENTION:

After the baseline assessment, the principal investigator will administer the dry needling intervention. For the intervention group, a 2-cm sterile, disposable, solid filament needle (Dongbang Acupuncture Needle, Korea) will be manually inserted at an angle of approximately 15 degrees to the skin surface into the scar tissue. The needle will then be rotated to separate the tissue adhesions along the path of the scar tissue. In the sham dry needling treatment group, the patient's condition will be identical to that of the real dry needling treatment group, with a minor exception. Instead of inserting the 2-cm single-use sterile filiform acupuncture needle into the scar tissue, it will be superficially inserted at a point further away from the scar tissue and removed after 20 minutes. Both groups will receive basic routine treatment, including kinesiology taping, along with infrared therapy (for 20 minutes) at a distance of 30 cm from the scar tissue. The patients will undergo six treatment sessions, with three sessions per week for two weeks.

REASSESSMENT:

After the interventions, measures of the primary and secondary outcomes will be collected immediately and two weeks after the final treatment session to evaluate the effectiveness of the dry needling intervention. Additionally, any adverse events following the dry needling procedures will be assessed immediately, such as bruising, nausea, dizziness, or post-needling soreness. If bleeding occurs, the participant will be informed.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-09-05
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-09-05
• Study First Posted: 2023-09-13
• Study Start: 2023-10-10
• Status Verified: 2023-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 2024-10-01
• Primary Completion: 2024-11-01
• Study Completion: 2025-06-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

• Linear hypertrophic scar tissue with an age of more than six weeks
• No restrictions on active and passive joint range of motion near the scar tissue
• Age between 20 and 60 years

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Exclusion Criteria

• Needle phobia
• Immature scar or keloid scar
• Skin diseases or infections near the scar tissue
• Diabetes
• Fractures that have altered joint mobility
• Anticoagulant medication use

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
True dry needling of the hypertrophic scar tissue	True dry needling	Participants with hypertrophic linear scar tissue in the true dry needling group will undergo authentic dry needling interventions targeted at the scar tissue, in conjunction with routine physiotherapy.
Sham dry needling of the hypertrophic scar tissue	Sham dry needling	In the sham dry needling group, participants presenting with hypertrophic linear scar tissue will receive superficial dry needling of the skin, performed at a location distinct from the scar tissue. This will be administered alongside routine physiotherapy.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Flexibility of the scar tissue (tissue compliance)	Change in flexibility of the scar tissue after the end of 6 treatment sessions compared to baseline and change from baseline at 2-week follow up	The Tissue Compliance Meter (STCM), created by the Technical University of Chemnitz in Germany, is a straightforward tool for measuring tissue compliance. It consists of a ruler with millimeter markings, attached to a standard algometer from Greenwich, CT, USA. It also includes two additional components: a round plastic disk with a metal cylinder and a ring with a screw for securing them in place. These disk and ring components can be adjusted along the ruler. A button cell battery is used to generate a beep when the ring and disk touch each other. To take a measurement, the investigator pushes the top of the algometer into the tissue until it reaches displacements of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 centimeters on the scar tissue. The investigator then records the applied force in either kilograms or Newtons, depending on the pre-set displacement. Each measurement is repeated three times, and the average of these three repetitions is used for statistical analysis.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Active and passive joint range of motion	Change in joint range of motion after the end of 6 treatment sessions compared to baseline and change from baseline at 2-week follow up	To assess joint active and passive range of motion, a 360-degree universal goniometer will be used. This involves correctly positioning and stabilizing the joint, moving the body part through its appropriate range of motion, determining the joint's end of the range and its end-feel, palpating the relevant bony landmarks, aligning the goniometer with these landmarks, and accurately reading the measuring instrument. Each measurement will be repeated three times, and the average of these repetitions will be used for statistical analysis.
Pain intensity	Change in pain after the end of 6 treatment sessions compared to baseline and change from baseline at 2-week follow up	If pain is present in the scar region, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) will be employed to assess pain intensity. This scale, ranging from 0 (indicating no pain) to 10 (representing the most severe pain imaginable), will be used for rating by participants during the evaluation. The NPRS is a pain assessment tool commonly utilized in research. In this study, a minimum clinically significant difference of 0.2 will be considered.
Health-related quality of life	Change in health status after the end of 6 treatment sessions compared to baseline and change from baseline at 2-week follow up	Following dry needling, the assessment of health status will be conducted using the SF-36 questionnaire, which includes 36 questions related to an individual's quality of life. This evaluation produces two summary scores: one for physical health and another for mental health.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences; 🇮🇷 Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Myopain Seminars; 🇺🇸 Bethesda, Maryland, United States