Low Back Pain
Conditions
Brief summary
The effectiveness of dry needling of the Gluteus Medius muscle in combination with active exercises will be examined compared with sham needling with active exercises in low back pain (LBP) patients.
Detailed description
Objectives: To examine if dry needling in combination with active physiotherapy is more effective in reducing pain and increase activity of daily living, range of motion and muscle strength in patients with chronic low back pain compared to sham dry needling in combination with active physiotherapy. Methods: the study will include individuals with non-specific LBP over 3 months. Subjects will be divided randomly into two research groups, both will receive physiotherapy including mobility, strengthening and stretching exercises. Intervention group, additionally to exercises, will receive dry needling to the Gluteus Medius muscle by inserting a needle to a trigger point until a visible involuntary twitch in the muscle appears. Sham needling will be applied by needling with pre-cut and smoothed needles that will not penetrate the skin. Both groups will receive two treatments per week and up to six treatments overall, evaluation will be performed before and after the series of treatments.
Interventions
OTHERdry needling
dry needling for Gluteus Medius muscle in combination with exercises
OTHERsham dry needling
sham dry needling for Gluteus Medius muscle in combination with exercises
Sponsors
University of Haifa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
participants will not be aware of the group they were assigned
Intervention model description
two groups. research group will receive dry needling and control group will receive sham dry needling.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Main complaint of nonspecific LBP over a 3 month period * VAS \> 3 at baseline
Exclusion criteria
* two or more of the following signs are present on physical examination: lower extremity weakness in a myotome distribution, decreased sensation in a dermatomal distribution, altered lower extremity deep tendon reflexes, pathological reflexes, a positive straight leg raise (SLR) test, crossed SLR or femoral nerve stretch test. * Symptoms began immediately after a significant trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall from a height) and subjects were not been screened for possible fractures. * Physical therapy or chiropractic treatment for LBP was provided during the 6 months prior to participation in the study or are currently being treated. * presence of contraindication for dry needling * pregnancy * past back or pelvic surgery
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| change in visual analog scale (VAS) | baseline and at 3 weeks | assessing pain on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (most sever pain). Higher scores means worse outcome. |
| Change in Modified Oswestry Disability Index | baseline and at 3 weeks | questionnaire to assess the disability level associated with LBP and includes 10 questions regarding activities likely to be affected by LBP. Higher scores means worse outcome. |
| Global rating of change | 3 weeks | a 15-point Likert scale ranging to assess treatment success. Higher scores mean a better outcome. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in hip abductors muscle strength | baseline and 3 weeks | muscle strength in Newton, assessed by an hand held dynamometer |
| Change in lumbar flexion range of motion | baseline and 3 weeks | lumbar flexion assessment by bending forward and measuring distance of fingers from the floor |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed