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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07612969

Comparing The Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) When Coupled With Dry Needling (DN), Acupuncture (AN) or Sham Needling (SN) on Knee Range of Motion (ROM), Jump Height and Unipedal Balance

Muscle tightness was found to increase injury risks. Muscle relaese techniques and needling were known to reduce muscle tightness, their specific influence on functional muscle performance remains inconclusive. We hypothesized that (1) combining needling modalities with muscle release techniques (PNF) would significantly improve range of motion, unipedal balance, and jump height compared to a sham intervention; and (2) the specific combination of dry needling and PNF would demonstrate superior functional progression compared to the acupuncture and PNF protocol over a 5-week timeframe.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Adult Males Healthy Subjects

Age range

18 year–28 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut

Beirut, Lebanon

About this study

Active men with confirmed hamstring and quadriceps tightness in both legs were included. Unipedal balance and jump height were evaluated using Kinetisense®. Subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Group1: Dry needling; Group2: Acupuncture and Group3: Sham needling. All subjects also received PNF application after needling modality. Each participant received 1 session per week for 5 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • moderately active men (Perform at least 60 min of any sport activity on at least 3 days per week)
  • aged between 18 and 28 years old
  • having muscular tightness in both hamstrings and quadriceps muscles in both lower limbs

Exclusion criteria

  • men who received any surgical, dry needling or acupuncture treatment in the last 6 months prior to the experimentation.
  • Participants who had suffered from any injuries at the level of the hips, knees or ankles in the 12 months before the study.
  • participants under anticoagulant medications or suffering from bleeding disorders.

Treatment and study plan

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling

Other

In addition to Dry needling, subjects also recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture

Other

In addition to Acupuncture needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needling

Other

In addition to Sham needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation

Other

All subjects recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in addition to the 3 needling types

Primary outcomes

  1. Range of motion

    Time frame: 1 week before protocol application and 5 weeks after

    Knee range of motion was evaluated using a Goniometer

Secondary outcomes

  1. Jump height

    Time frame: 1 week prior to the protocol application and 5 weeks after

    was evaluated using Kinetisence

  2. Unipedal balance

    Time frame: 1 week prior to the protocol and 5 weeks after

    Was evaluated using Kinetisense

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Mohamad Karam

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparing the Effect of Dry Needle, Acupuncture and Sham Needling When Added to Muscle Release Technique on Knee Range of Motion, Unipedal Balance and Jump Height in Active Men: A Randomized Control Single Blinded Study

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
May 29, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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