Trigger Points
Conditions
Keywords
Dry needling, Strength, Latent trigger points
Brief summary
This study evaluates the impact of treating myofascial trigger points with a single session of dry needling on maximal isometric strength in the short term. Two groups will receive dry needling in separate muscle groups and a third group will receive no dry needling.
Detailed description
Dry needling is a effective treatment for myofascial trigger points. It is very common in a sporting environment. Strength is a key aspect of athletic performance. Despite the prevalence of dry needling within a sporting environment, the effects of dry needling on strength remains unknown. This study will investigate the effects of dry needling on maximal isometric strength with a view to informing clinical practice amongst clinicians working in the elite sport setting.
Interventions
PROCEDUREDry needling
Dry needling is an invasive procedure involving inserting acupuncture needles directly into trigger points within muscles. The needle is partially withdrawn and re-inserted repeatedly to maximally stimulate the muscle and it's fibers.
Sponsors
Institute of Technology, Carlow
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The principal investigator will gather data using a force platform and computer software. It will be anonymised and group allocation will be concealed by a second investigator before being individually analysed by the principal investigator. The second investigator will be given the individually analysed data and he/she will sort the individual data into relevant groups for group analysis.
Intervention model description
Participants with latent trigger points in rectus femoris (RF) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles will be stratified evenly into 3 groups (RF dry needling, GM dry needling or control) based on baseline strength. Treatment, data collection and data analysis of all participants will be conducted concurrently.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Must have latent trigger points in their rectus femoris and gluteus maximus
Exclusion criteria
* Active trigger points in rectus femoris or gluteus maximus * Participants with current injuries * History of fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome * History of blood disorder which prevents dry needling * Needle phobia * History of surgery in the last 6 months
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar. Peak force is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
| Isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons per second squared. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
| Relative isometric peak force during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons per kg body weight. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by two thirds the participants body weight. Peak force is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
| Relative isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons per second squared per kg. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force divided by two thirds the participants body weight. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
| Normalised isometric peak rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons per second squared and expressed relative to each participant peak force. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force divided by the peak vertical ground reaction force produced during the trial. It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
| Isometric time interval rate of force development during the isometric mid-thigh pull | Baseline, 24 hours post intervention, 48 hours post intervention, 72 hours post intervention. | Measured in newtons per second squared. It is the amount of force exerted by pulling against an immovable bar divided by the amount of time it takes to generate the force. With values expressed in specific time interval windows (0ms to 50ms, 0-100ms, 0-150ms, 0-200ms, 0-250ms) It is measured as vertical ground reaction by force platforms beneath the participants feet. |
Countries
Ireland
Outcome results
None listed