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Virtual Reality in Invasive Techniques in Physiotherapy

Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Distraction Tool to Reduce Pain and Discomfort Associated With Dry Needling Application

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06448104
Enrollment
40
Registered
2024-06-07
Start date
2024-09-03
Completion date
2025-02-06
Last updated
2025-05-04

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

Conditions

Pain

Keywords

pain, dry needling, virtual reality

Brief summary

Dry needling is a common physical therapy technique that uses solid acupuncture needles that are repeatedly inserted and removed into the human body. These techniques, despite their benefits, can cause pain. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of virtual reality as a distractor in invasive techniques in physiotherapy. The hypothesis is that the use of immersive virtual reality, evoking relaxation situations, will reduce the sensation of pain during and/or after the technique. To do this, healthy participants will be recruited and the participants will be divided into two groups (experimental and control). Participants in the experimental group will undergo the dry needling technique on latent myofascial trigger points along with the use of immersive virtual reality. The same technique will be performed on participants in the control group but without the use of virtual reality. Pain during and after puncture and strength after puncture will be evaluated.

Interventions

OTHERDry needling and immersive virtual reality

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. The procedure will be carried out simultaneously with the use of immersive virtual reality distraction software, applied through MetaQuest 2 virtual reality glasses. This procedure consists of immersive visualization (video and sound images that represent scenes related to relaxation). In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

OTHERDry needling

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

Sponsors

University of Valencia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Have at least one identifiable latent myofascial trigger point in the muscles studied

Exclusion criteria

* Suffer any musculoskeletal or neural alteration that could alter the results obtained * Suffer from belonephobia or extreme and uncontrollable fear of sharp objects

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain during dry needlingImmediately after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)Pain perception during dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pain after dry needlingImmediately after technique application; 30 minutes after technique application; 1 hour after technique application; 6 hours after technique application; 24 hours after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)Pain after dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)
Pain pressure thresholdBefore technique; Immediately after technique; 30 minutes after technique; 60 minutes after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)Pain pressure threshold measured using an algometer
StrengthBefore technique; Immediately after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)Strength measured using a hand-held dynamometer

Countries

Spain

Outcome results

None listed

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