NCT07525921

Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Foundation University Islamabad · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomised single-blind trial will evaluate the immediate effect of a single session of dry needling versus sham needling on calf muscle myofascial trigger points among amateur football players aged 18-25 years. Primary and secondary outcomes are Pressure Pain Threshold (algometer), Sprint Speed (shuttle run test), and Functional Performance (single-leg hop). Outcomes will be measured immediately pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis will be performed in SPSS version 27 using paired and independent t-tests (p \< 0.05).

Detailed description

A randomised, single-blind, parallel-group trial recruiting amateur club football players (age 18-25) with active myofascial trigger points in gastrocnemius or soleus. Participants randomised (coin toss) into Group A (Dry Needling) or Group B (Sham Needling). Baseline measures: Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) using handheld algometer, ankle dorsiflexion ROM with goniometer, sprint speed via shuttle run, and single-leg hop distance. Intervention: a single session of dry needling (sterile single-use filiform needles 0.25-0.30 mm; needles retained \~10 minutes with fast-in/fast-out pistoning to elicit local twitch response) or a non-penetrating sham procedure mimicking needling. Post-intervention assessments are performed immediately after the session. Data will be analysed with SPSS v.27; paired t-tests for within-group and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons (p \< 0.05).

Conditions

• Myofascial Pain Syndromes
• Trigger Points
• Gastrocnemius Muscle

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Dry Needling	A single-session myofascial trigger point dry needling treatment will be administered to identified trigger points in the gastrocnemius and/or soleus muscles using sterile disposable filiform needles. The objective is to mechanically disrupt the dysfunctional motor end plate, elicit local twitch responses, reduce nociceptive activity, and restore muscle function. The intervention is delivered under aseptic conditions by a trained physiotherapist following standard safety guidelines. Post-procedure monitoring will be conducted for minor adverse effects such as soreness or bleeding.
PROCEDURE	Sham Needling	A simulated needling procedure designed to act as a placebo comparator will be applied without skin penetration. The technique reproduces the visual, tactile, and contextual components of dry needling to maintain participant blinding while avoiding physiological stimulation of the muscle. This allows isolation of the true therapeutic effect of dry needling from psychological or expectancy-related responses.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-29
• Primary completion: 2026-06-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2026-04-13
• Last updated: 2026-04-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan