Effects of Dry Needling on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Extensor Digitorum Communis
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-40
SponsorUniversity Rovira i Virgili
About this trial
This randomized single-blind clinical trial aims to compare the effects of different dry needling and electrical dry needling techniques applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm in healthy adults.
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of five groups: a control group, a Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling group, a rotational dry needling group, a bipolar electrical dry needling group, or a monopolar electrical dry needling group. The main outcomes will be post-needling soreness intensity and duration. Secondary outcomes will include pain during the needling procedure, pressure pain threshold assessed by algometry, handgrip strength, range of motion of finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion, perceived comfort during the intervention, and perceived interference of post-needling soreness with daily activities.
Assessments will be performed at baseline, 5 minutes after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adults aged 18 to 40 years.
Healthy participants with a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
No pathology affecting the upper limb where the intervention will be applied.
No episode of pain in the upper limb during at least the previous two months.
Disqualifiers
Needle phobia.
Coagulation disorders.
Pregnancy.
Thyroid disorders.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling
Other interventionThe skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once the needle has reached the trigger point, 10 fast-in and fast-out movements will be performed. The number of local twitch responses will be recorded.
Rotational dry needling
Other interventionThe skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once the needle has reached the trigger point, the rotational dry needling technique will be applied according to the predefined study protocol.
Bipolar electrical dry needling
Other interventionThe skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once a local twitch response has been obtained, the needle will remain inserted and will act as the negative pole. An adhesive electrode connected to the positive pole will be placed approximately one centimeter from the needle. A TENS current will be applied for 15 minutes at a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 120 milliseconds. The intensity will be increased until visible, non-painful contractions of the extensor digitorum muscle are achieved.
Monopolar electrical dry needling
Other interventionThe skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once a local twitch response has been obtained, the needle will remain inserted in the trigger point. The metallic tip of the Pointer Plus Excel-II device will be placed in contact with the needle, and a TENS current will be applied for 3 minutes at a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 220 milliseconds. The intensity will be increased until visible, non-painful contractions of the extensor digitorum muscle are achieved.
Treatment groups
150 Participants
are divided into 5 treatment groupsGroup A: No Intervention: Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions
Group B: Experimental: Hong Fast-In and Fast-Out Dry Needling GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Experimental: Rotational Dry Needling GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: Experimental: Bipolar Electrical Dry Needling GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group E: Experimental: Monopolar Electrical Dry Needling GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Post-needling soreness intensity
Post-needling soreness intensity will be assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Participants will rate the intensity of local soreness perceived in the needling area, clearly differentiated from any other type of pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
Time frame
1 weekSecondary outcomes
1
Duration of post-needling soreness
The duration of post-needling soreness will be recorded in hours, from the moment of onset until complete disappearance, based on participant self-report during the 24-, 48-, and 72-hour follow-up assessments.
Time frame
1 week2
Pain during needling
Pain perceived during the application of the dry needling or electrical dry needling technique will be assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Participants will be asked to report the intensity of pain experienced during the procedure.
Time frame
Immediately after the intervention3
Pressure pain threshold
Pressure pain threshold will be assessed using pressure algometry over the treated region. The value will be recorded as the minimum pressure that induces the first sensation of pain.
Time frame
1 week4
Handgrip strength
Handgrip strength will be assessed using a hand dynamometer and recorded in kilograms. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 5 minutes after the intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Time frame
1 weekSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov