Effect of Mirror Therapy on Post-Needling Pain Following Deep Dry Needling of Myofascial Trigger Point in Lateral Elbow Pain

Universidad Europea de Canarias

Status and phase: Active, not recruiting; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Lateral Elbow Pain

Treatments: Procedure: Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching; Procedure: Experimental: Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching + MFT

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06288048

23/107-EC X TFM 07/03/2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this randomized, controlled pilot trial is to investigate the immediate effects of incorporating Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy (MFT) on pain sensitivity and motor performance in individuals experiencing Post-needling pain associated with lateral elbow pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does incorporating Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy reduce Post-needling pain intensity?
• Does incorporating Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy improve pressure pain threshold?
• Does incorporating Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy improve maximum grip strenght?

Participants will be asked to undergo pre- and post-treatment evaluations, which include assessments of Post-needling pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, two-point discrimination threshold, and maximum hand grip strength.

Participants in the Experimental Group will receive Deep Dry Needling in the m. Brachioradialis, Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray, Stretching, and Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy. Those in the Control Group will not receive Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy.

Researchers will compare the Experimental Group to the Control Group to see if the incorporation of Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy results in a reduction in Post-needling pain intensity and improvement in pressure pain threshold.

Full description

This randomized, controlled pilot trial aims to investigate the immediate effects of incorporating Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy (MFT) on pain sensitivity and motor performance in individuals experiencing Post-needling pain associated with lateral elbow pain. The study will enroll a total of 49 participants, with 23 females and 26 males, who will be randomly allocated to either the Experimental Group or the Control Group. The Experimental Group will receive Deep Dry Needling in the m. Brachioradialis, Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray, Stretching, and Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy, while the Control Group will not receive Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy. This random allocation is intended to minimize bias and enhance the internal validity of the study.

Pre- and post-treatment evaluations will include assessments of Post-needling pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, two-point discrimination threshold, and maximum hand grip strength. Intergroup analysis will be conducted to determine if there is a statistically significant reduction in Post-needling pain intensity favoring the Experimental Group. Additionally, intragroup analysis will assess whether there are significant improvements in pressure pain threshold solely within the Experimental Group following the intervention.

The findings of this study may suggest a potential benefit of integrating MFT into treatment protocols for individuals with lateral elbow pain experiencing Post-needling discomfort. However, further research will be necessary to fully elucidate the clinical implications of these findings and their applicability in healthcare settings.

Enrollment: 49 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals males and females aged 18 years or older
• Individuals suffering from lateral elbow myofascial pain diagnosed by either a GP or physical therapist
• for less than 3 months
• lacking a history of severe trauma
• Individuals not having any prior exposure to Dry Needling treatment
• Individuals not currently using relevant medications

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals under the age of 18
• Individuals not diagnosed with lateral elbow myofascial pain by either a GP or physical therapist
• Individuals experiencing lateral elbow myofascial pain for more than 3 months
• Individuals with a history of severe trauma to the affected area
• Individuals who have previously undergone Dry Needling treatment for their lateral elbow myofascial pain
• Individuals currently using medications relevant to the treatment of lateral elbow myofascial pain

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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49 participants in 2 patient groups

Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching + MFT

Experimental group

Description:

The intervention protocol in this study will target individuals experiencing Post-needling pain associated with lateral elbow pain. It will comprise a series of treatments including Deep Dry Needling (DDN) focused on the proximal third of the m. Brachioradialis (BR), was conducted with the patient seated and the therapist positioned on the same side as the needle insertion. Following DDN, ischemic compression (IC) will be applied using a sphygmomanometer on the seated subject's arm, along with three applications of cold spray synchronized with m. Brachioradialis (BR) stretching. The intervention will conclude with Mirror Therapy (MFT), where the patient will face a mirror covering the punctured side at a 45-degree angle for proper hand visualization, engaging in hand exercises and wrist movements while observing their reflection.

Treatment:

Procedure: Experimental: Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching + MFT

Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching

Active Comparator group

Description:

The intervention protocol in this study will target individuals experiencing Post-needling pain associated with lateral elbow pain. It will comprise a series of treatments including Deep Dry Needling (DDN) focused on the proximal third of the m. Brachioradialis (BR), conducted with the patient seated and the therapist positioned on the same side as the needle insertion. Following DDN, ischemic compression (IC) will be applied using a sphygmomanometer on the seated subject's arm, along with three applications of cold spray synchronized with m. Brachioradialis (BR) stretching. The intervention will not conclude with Mirror Therapy (MFT).

Treatment:

Procedure: Deep Dry Needling (DDN), Ischemic Compression, Cold Spray with Stretching