NCT03689283

The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Trigger Points

The Effect of Dry Needling on Muscle Stiffness, Gait, Motion, and Strength in Healthy Individuals With Latent Trigger Points

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 102 (actual)
• Sponsor: Regis University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 50 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study would be the first study to assess the immediate effects of dry needling of latent trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle on muscle stiffness, gait, range of motion, and strength. The study has the potential to demonstrate that dry needling may have immediate effects on mechanical properties of muscle and may thus guide future treatment for individuals with changes in muscle tissue secondary to pain and/or injury.

Detailed description

Participants will complete the following tests: muscle stiffness testing in both a relaxed and contracted position, GAITRite for spatial and temporal gait characteristics, the Ankle Lunge Test (ALT) to assess range of motion, and calf strength using a dynamometer. Subjects will then receive treatment according to which group they are randomized. Muscle stiffness, gait, motion and strength will be reassessed immediately following treatment at the first session. Four to10 days later, participants will complete the same tests and measures prior to treatment being administered a second time. Another 4-10 days after the second session, participants will complete the tests and measures one final time.

Conditions

• Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Dry Needling	Individuals randomized to the Dry Needling Group will receive dry needling to latent trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle
OTHER	Sham Dry Needlling	Individuals randomized to the Control group will receive sham needling to the gastrocnemius muscle

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-10-25
• Primary completion: 2019-12-31
• Completion: 2020-01-21
• First posted: 2018-09-28
• Last updated: 2020-01-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States