Treatment Time-frame Guideline for Dry Needling in the Lower Limb

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Trigger Points
• Interventions: Procedure: Dry needling

• Registration Number: NCT04161105
• Lead Sponsor: Institute of Technology, Carlow

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the impact of treating myofascial trigger points with a single session of dry needling on maximal isometric strength in the short term. Two groups will receive dry needling in separate muscle groups and a third group will receive no dry needling.

Detailed Description

Dry needling is a effective treatment for myofascial trigger points. It is very common in a sporting environment. Strength is a key aspect of athletic performance. Despite the prevalence of dry needling within a sporting environment, the effects of dry needling on strength remains unknown.

This study will investigate the effects of dry needling on maximal isometric strength with a view to informing clinical practice amongst clinicians working in the elite sport setting.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-09-16
• Study First Submitted: 2019-11-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-11-11
• Study First Posted: 2019-11-13
• Primary Completion: 2019-11-29
• Study Completion: 2019-11-29
• Status Verified: 2020-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-02-13
• Last Update Posted: 2020-02-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 28

Inclusion Criteria

• Must have latent trigger points in their rectus femoris and gluteus maximus

Exclusion Criteria

• Active trigger points in rectus femoris or gluteus maximus
• Participants with current injuries
• History of fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome
• History of blood disorder which prevents dry needling
• Needle phobia
• History of surgery in the last 6 months

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Gluteus maximus dry needling group	Dry needling	The gluteus maximus dry needling group will have their strength assessed. They will then receive one treatment of dry needling to trigger points in their gluteus maximus muscle only. They will have their strength re-assessed 24, 48 \& 72 hours after dry needling.
Rectus femoris dry needling group	Dry needling	The rectus femoris dry needling group will have their strength assessed. They will then receive one treatment of dry needling to a trigger point in their rectus femoris muscle. They will have their strength re-assessed 24, 48 \& 72 hours after dry needling.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Isometric peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar. Peak force is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.
Relative isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons per second squared per kg. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force divided by two thirds the participants body weight. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.
Isometric time interval rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons per second squared. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force. With values expressed in specific time interval windows (0ms to 50ms, 0-100ms, 0-150ms, 0-200ms, 0-250ms) It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.
Isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons per second squared. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.
Relative isometric peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons per kg body weight. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by two thirds the participants body weight. Peak force is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.
Normalised isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull	Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention.	Measured in newtons per second squared and expressed relative to each participant peak force. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force divided by the peak vertical ground reaction force produced during the trial. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Technology Carlow; 🇮🇪 Carlow, Leinster, Ireland