MedPath

The Effect of Dry Needling of the Gluteus Medius Muscle in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Low Back Pain
Interventions
Other: dry needling
Other: sham dry needling
Registration Number
NCT04498572
Lead Sponsor
University of Haifa
Brief Summary

The effectiveness of dry needling of the Gluteus Medius muscle in combination with active exercises will be examined compared with sham needling with active exercises in low back pain (LBP) patients.

Detailed Description

Objectives: To examine if dry needling in combination with active physiotherapy is more effective in reducing pain and increase activity of daily living, range of motion and muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain compared to sham dry needling in combination with active physiotherapy.

Methods: the study will include individuals with non-specific LBP over 3 months.

Subjects will be divided randomly into two research groups, both will receive physiotherapy including mobility, strengthening and stretching exercises. Intervention group, additionally to exercises, will receive dry needling to the Gluteus Medius muscle by inserting a needle to a trigger point until a visible involuntary twitch in the muscle appears. Sham needling will be applied by needling with pre-cut and smoothed needles that will not penetrate the skin.

Both groups will receive two treatments per week and up to six treatments overall, evaluation will be performed before and after the series of treatments.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
25
Inclusion Criteria
  • Main complaint of nonspecific LBP over a 3 month period
  • VAS > 3 at baseline
Exclusion Criteria
  • two or more of the following signs are present on physical examination: lower extremity weakness in a myotome distribution, decreased sensation in a dermatomal distribution, altered lower extremity deep tendon reflexes, pathological reflexes, a positive straight leg raise (SLR) test, crossed SLR or femoral nerve stretch test.
  • Symptoms began immediately after a significant trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall from a height) and subjects were not been screened for possible fractures.
  • Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment for LBP was provided during the 6 months prior to participation in the study or are currently being treated.
  • presence of contraindication for dry needling
  • pregnancy
  • past back or pelvic surgery

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
research groupdry needlingactive exercises and dry needling for the Gluteus medius muscle
control groupsham dry needlingactive exercises and sham dry needling for the Gluteus medius muscle
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Global rating of change3 weeks

a 15-point Likert scale ranging to assess treatment success. Higher scores mean a better outcome.

change in visual analog scale (VAS)baseline and at 3 weeks

assessing pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (most sever pain). Higher scores means worse outcome.

Change in Modified Oswestry Disability Indexbaseline and at 3 weeks

questionnaire to assess the disability level associated with LBP and includes 10 questions regarding activities likely to be affected by LBP. Higher scores means worse outcome.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in hip abductors muscle strengthbaseline and 3 weeks

muscle strength in Newton, assessed by an hand held dynamometer

Change in lumbar flexion range of motionbaseline and 3 weeks

lumbar flexion assessment by bending forward and measuring distance of fingers from the floor

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Haifa University, Department of PHysical Therapy

🇮🇱

Haifa, Israel

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath