Effects of DNHS Technique in the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity and Function in Stroke

Effectiveness of Dry Needling (DNHS Technique) in the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasticity and Function in Stroke Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02291159

Enrollment

Registered

2014-11-14

Start date

2014-11-30

Completion date

2014-12-31

Last updated

2014-12-31

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Spasticity, Stroke

Keywords

stroke, spasticity, dry needling, upper motor neuron syndrome, motor function

Brief summary

Introduction: Stroke is a neurological deficit caused by a decrease in cerebral blood flow. The DNHS ® (Dry Needling for hypertonia and Spasticity) technique is a dry needling technique to reduce spasticity and hypertonia and improve function in patients with CNS injury. The main objective of this trial is to analyze the therapeutic effect of DNHS® technique in motor function in patients between 45 and 80 in a chronic state after a stroke. Methods: Double-blinded randomized clinical trial. There will be an intervention group (DNHS® technique) and a sham control group. The intervention will be 2 sessions, one per week, in biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis nad profundus, adductor pollicis and first dorsal interossei. The Fugl Meyer Assessment Scale, Modified Ashworth Scale and Stroke Impact Scale will be used as outcome measures. The data will be expressed as mean ± (Standard Deviation). The standardized difference or effect size (ES, 90% confidence limit) in the selected variables will be calculated.

Interventions

DEVICEDNHS ® (Dry Needling for Hypertonia and Spasticity)

Dry needling of Myofascial Trigger Points. 2 sessions, one per week, in biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis nad profundus, adductor pollicis and first dorsal interossei

DEVICESham Dry Needling

Sham dry needling of Myofascial Trigger Points. 2 sessions, one per week, in biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis nad profundus, adductor pollicis and first dorsal interossei

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

40 Years to 85 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* people aged 40-85 years with hemiplegia resulting from stroke of more than 6 months evolution (chronic stroke) * ability to follow instructions and reply to assessment questonnaires

Exclusion criteria

* recurrent stroke episodes * other concomitant neurodegenerative conditions * fear to needles * participation in a parallel study * any absolute contraindication for deep dry needling

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Fugl Meyer Assessment Scale (Motor Function)	Two weeks

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Modified Ashworth Scale (Hypertonia/Spasticity)	Two weeks
Impact Stroke Scale (Quality of Life)	Two weeks

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026