Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Athletes With Chronic Hamstring Strain

ConditionHamstring Muscle Strain

Trial statusNot yet recruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexMale

Age18-35

SponsorCairo University

About this trial

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in athletes with chronic hamstring strain. Chronic hamstring injuries are common among athletes and often lead to persistent pain, reduced performance, and limitations in daily and sports activities.

Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used to target myofascial trigger points and relieve muscle tension. This study will compare the effects of dry needling with conventional physiotherapy interventions to determine its role in managing chronic hamstring strain.

Participants will be athletes diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain. Outcomes will include pain intensity, muscle flexibility, and functional performance. The results of this study may help improve rehabilitation strategies and provide evidence for the use of dry needling in sports injuries.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Male football players aged 18 to 35 years.

Diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain (CHS) confirmed by ultrasonography.

Injury duration of more than 3 months.

Classified as Grade I or Grade II hamstring strain.

Disqualifiers

Previous exposure to dry needling therapy.

Presence of any other current lower limb injuries.

Participation in another hamstring rehabilitation program.

Active skin infection at or near the treatment area.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Dry Needling
Procedure/Surgery
Participants will receive dry needling treatment applied to active myofascial trigger points in the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus). Sterile filiform needles will be inserted into identified trigger points to elicit local twitch responses and reduce muscle pain and tightness. Treatment will be performed in addition to a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and strengthening exercises for the hamstring muscle group. Sessions will be administered over the study period according to a predefined treatment schedule.
Standard Rehabilitation Program
Procedure/Surgery
Participants will receive a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and eccentric strengthening exercises for hamstring muscles without dry needling.

Treatment groups

38 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Control Group (A)Active comparator 1 intervention

Group B: Intervention Group (B)Experimental treatment 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Pain Intensity

Pain intensity in chronic hamstring strain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements will be taken at baseline and after completion of the intervention period to evaluate changes in pain perception.

Time frame