Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling Versus Foam Roller

Fundación Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir

Status: Completed

Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Dry Needling

Treatments: Procedure: Dry needling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04600830

UCV/2019 - 2020/062

Details and patient eligibility

About

To compare the effects of dry needling and Foam roller in myofascial trigger points. Needling has been shown to decrease pain in the short term; however, its effects on muscle force production are unclear. There are differences between dry needling and foam roller after treatment?

Full description

Background: It has been shown that the decrease of the range of motion in the ankle, due to the presence of latent trigger points in the gastro-sole complex, can affect performance, as well as being a predisposing factor to injury. Objective: To compare the effects of Dry Needling and Foam roller in healthy athletes with limited dorsal ankle flexion by the presence of latent trigger points. Material and methods: This is a clinical trial, single-blind experimental study. The sample will have a total of 44 students, volunteers, healthy of the degree of physiotherapy of the the investigator's university (UCV). Participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned in two groups: Group 1 or Dry Needling (N = 22) and Group 2 or Foam Roller (N = 22). The range of motion of ankle will be assessed through the Leg Motion system (Check Your Motion®, Albacete, Spain). Assessed thought Ankle Test (post-intervention and 24 hours later). The reference values to consider the decreased ankle ROM will be <11.5 cm, <35º measured with Easy Angle® digital goniometer (Meloq AB, Sweden) and/or if it has a difference of 1.5 cm between both extremities. Thus, the effect on previous activity performance will be assessed thought the Counter Movement Jump. Data analysis: Once the distribution of the sample is determined, a descriptive analysis of the data will be carried out and an ANOVA of repeated measures. Will be used to compare the data found in the two groups that make up the study taking into account a 95% CI and an error less than 0.05.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Students of physiotherapy degree of the university
• All participants who present restriction on active ankle dorsiflexion (<35º).
• They must be diagnosed through manual therapy of latent PG in the gastro-soleus complex.

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects suffering from belonephobia
• Pathology of connective tissue
• Coagulation problems
• Lymphatic disorders
• Diabetes
• Surgical history in the lower limb (last 12 months)
• Prior treatment with dry needling (last 6 months)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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45 participants in 2 patient groups

Dry Needling Group

Experimental group

Description:

Dry needling will be applied to the myofascial trigger points of the gastrocnemius muscle. With the dry needle (0.3 x 40 mm. Myofib, Toledo, Spain). Thus, insert the needle until you get the first twitch response. Once the first twitch response is obtained, the needle will move about 2-3 mm vertically quickly. Twenty-five insertions without leaving the skin. The approximate frequency of 1 Hz for 25 to 30 seconds.

Treatment:

Procedure: Dry needling

Foam Roller Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The myofascial self-release technique with the FR Black Roll PRO (Bottighogen, Switzerland). The subject will move his body in the same direction as the muscle fibers, using his hands to propel and get the roller to slide back and forth. The device will only be applied at the muscular level, avoid the area of the Achilles tendon. It will be repeated on the contralateral leg. A total of three 60-second steps is executed on each leg and a 30-second break between both.

Treatment:

Procedure: Dry needling