NCT04695548

Physiotherapy in the Reduction of Post-needling Soreness

Comparison of Isometric, Concentric, Eccentric Exercise and Passive Stretching in the Reduction of Post-needling Soreness in Patients With Cranial and/or Cervical Pain Related to Myofascial Pain

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Alcala · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Dry needling is a minimally invasive technique which generates good results and neuromuscular benefits. Its application involves a highly prevalent effect called post-needling soreness. It is defined as a residual pain, located in the incision area, with a self-limiting period of 24-72 hours, as a result of a physiological process generated by the technique. So far, different clinical trials have been carried out to measure the effectiveness of several techniques for reducing post-needling soreness, reaching positive results. However, no studies have been found with the aim of distinguish which method is more effective for this goal; therefore, it is clear the need to continue investigating on the subject and comparing these techniques among them.

Detailed description

Main objective. To figure out if one of the four techniques (isometric, concentric, eccentric contraction exercise and analytic passive stretching) is more effective for reducing post- needling soreness immediately, at 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Objectives. To verify if there is a correlation between independent variables and post-needling soreness. Study type. Non-blinded randomized clinical trial. Intervention. Dry needling on an active myofascial trigger point in superior trapezius, followed by one of the following treatments according to the specific group: 1) concentric contraction exercise, 2) isometric contraction exercise, 3) eccentric contraction exercise or 4) analytic passive stretching.

Conditions

• Dry Needling
• Soreness, Muscle
• Trigger Point Pain, Myofascial

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Concentric contraction exercise	The participant will be placed in a standing position, with the shoulders positioned in the scapular plane. A medium stiffness Theraband elastic band will be placed between the participant's ipsilateral foot on the side on which the dry needling technique was applied and the acromio-clavicular joint on the same side.The exercise will consist of raising the shoulder against the resistance of the elastic band, slowly and for 5 seconds
OTHER	Isometric contraction exercise	The participant will be placed in a standing position, with the shoulders positioned in the scapular plane. A medium stiffness Theraband elastic band will be placed between the participant's ipsilateral foot on the side on which the dry needling technique was applied and the acromio-clavicular joint on the same side.The exercise will consist of raising the shoulder and maintaining the tension of the elastic band for 5 seconds
OTHER	Eccentric contraction exercise	The participant will be placed in a standing position, with the shoulders positioned in the scapular plane. A medium stiffness Theraband elastic band will be placed between the participant's ipsilateral foot on the side on which the dry needling technique was applied and the acromio-clavicular joint on the same side.The exercise will consist of asking the participant to lower their shoulder, against the resistance of the elastic band, in a slow and controlled manner for 5 seconds.
OTHER	Analytic passive stretching	The patient remains supine position. The analytical passive stretch of the upper trapezius will be performed only once, bringing the muscle to the limit of elastic tension perceived by the subject. The passive stretching technique will be held for 30 seconds.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-02-23
• Primary completion: 2021-04-25
• Completion: 2021-06-30
• First posted: 2021-01-05
• Last updated: 2021-07-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain