The Effect of Dry Needling on Trunk Muscle Function in Low Back Pain Patients

The study will establish data on the function of trunk muscles in healthy and low back pain patient's pre and post dry needling treatment. This will help in understanding the underlying mechanism of this treatment and reveal the effect of dry needling on muscle performance.

Study hypothesis is that an improvement of back muscle function following dry needling procedure will be found.

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Key information

Conditions

Low Back Pain Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Haifa

Haifa, Israel

About this study

Dry needling of muscles is mainly used for the management of pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Yet, the association between dry needling and motor performance of muscles is still unclear.

This study aims to investigate the immediate effect of dry needling on lumbar multifidus muscles' function in healthy and low back pain subjects.

The sample will be divided into: low back pain group and control (healthy) group. Both groups will receive dry needling to the lumbar multifidus muscles using a deep insertion technique with 4 needles (2 on each side of the spine). The needles will be left in situ for 10 minutes. Ultrasound imaging will be used to measure multifidus muscles' thickness, pre and post- procedure during rest in a prone position and during contralateral active straight leg extension.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Age: 18-60 years.
Healthy individuals or individuals with main complaint of low back pain (LBP)

Exclusion criteria

Patients with "red flags" for a serious spinal condition, for example: tumor, compression fractures, infection, cancer.
Signs of nerve root compression (positive straight leg raise <45 degrees, decreased reflexes, decrease sensation or decreased strength in the lower extremities).
Pregnancy.
Previous surgery to the lumbar spine
History of congenital lumbar or pelvic anomalies
Physical therapy for LBP was provided in the 6 months prior to participation in the study
Patients who are unable to lie prone for 30 minutes.

Treatment and study plan

dry needling

Other

Dry needling uses traditional acupuncture needles without injecting any liquid. Dry needling is based on traditional Western medicine whereby the needle insertion sites are located in known anatomical landmarks such as skeletal muscles, fascia and occasionally joints, tendons and bone/tendon junctions.

Other names: acupuncture

Primary outcomes

Change in Multifidus muscle thickness

Time frame: baseline and Immediately after dry needling procedure at the same session

Multifidus muscle thickness will be measured using diagnostic ultrasound imaging

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Haifa

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2014
Primary completion: 2015
Study completion: 2015
First posted: Sep 26, 2014
Registry last updated: May 24, 2016

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed