Effects of Dry Needling on Proprioception, Dynamic Stability, Strength, Pain Perception, and Disability in Athletes With Subacromial Pain Syndrome
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 40
- 试验地点
- 1
研究概览
简要总结
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether dry needling combined with therapeutic exercise improves shoulder proprioception in amateur athletes with subacromial pain syndrome. The study will also assess its effects on dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does dry needling improve shoulder proprioception compared with therapeutic exercise alone? Does dry needling improve dynamic shoulder stability and muscle strength? Does dry needling reduce pain and upper limb disability?
Researchers will compare a group receiving dry needling plus therapeutic exercise with a group performing therapeutic exercise alone to determine whether the combined intervention produces better outcomes.
Participants will:
Be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Perform a home-based therapeutic exercise program for 3 weeks. Complete assessments of proprioception, dynamic stability, strength, pain, and functional disability before and after the intervention.
详细描述
Subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain and dysfunction in both the general population and athletes involved in repetitive upper-limb activities. In sports requiring overhead movements, throwing actions, or repetitive shoulder loading, the increased mechanical demand placed on the glenohumeral joint may contribute to functional impairments, persistent pain, and reduced athletic performance.
Several studies have reported proprioceptive deficits and sensorimotor control alterations in individuals with SAPS. These impairments may affect joint position sense, muscular coordination, and dynamic shoulder stability, potentially contributing to symptom persistence and increasing the risk of recurrent injury. Previous research has also associated proprioceptive deficits with higher pain intensity, functional disability, and reduced neuromuscular control.
Proprioception plays a fundamental role in sensory integration and in the regulation of precise and coordinated shoulder movements. Altered afferent input from muscular and articular structures may impair dynamic stabilization mechanisms and compromise upper-limb function during sports activities.
Dry needling is a minimally invasive physiotherapy technique widely used for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. Previous studies have demonstrated positive effects of dry needling on pain and functional disability in individuals with subacromial pain syndrome. In addition, research conducted in other joints has suggested that dry needling may influence motor control, postural stability, and proprioceptive mechanisms.
Despite the growing clinical interest in this intervention, there is currently limited evidence regarding the effects of dry needling on shoulder proprioception and sensorimotor variables in individuals with SAPS, particularly in athletic populations. Therefore, further investigation is needed to determine whether adding dry needling to a therapeutic exercise program may provide additional benefits for neuromuscular control and shoulder function.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Outcome assessors and data analysts will remain blinded to group allocation throughout the study. Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and treating physiotherapists cannot be blinded.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 40 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years.
- •Clinical diagnosis of subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) according to the Dutch Orthopaedic Association criteria: presence of a painful arc and at least two positive tests among the following: Hawkins-Kennedy test, Neer sign, Jobe test, Drop Arm test, or Gerber test.
- •Participation in sports involving predominant upper-limb activity between 2 and 4 hours per week.
排除标准
- •Previous surgery involving the upper extremities.
- •Diagnosis of specific shoulder pathologies other than SAPS at the time of the study.
- •Receipt of medical or physiotherapy treatment within the month prior to the intervention.
- •Needle phobia or refusal to receive dry needling treatment.
- •Presence of vestibular disorders, balance impairments, or vascular alterations that could interfere with study measurements.
- •Confirmed or suspected pregnancy.
研究者
Carlos Alberto Villarón Casales
Professor and Researcher
Universidad Europea de Valencia