Virtual Reality in Invasive Techniques in Physiotherapy

University of Valencia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pain

Treatments: Other: Dry needling; Other: Dry needling and immersive virtual reality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06448104

3250436

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Dry needling and immersive virtual reality

Experimental group

Description:

Participants assigned to "Dry needling and immersive virtual reality" group will carry out a first session in which the dry needling technique will be performed together with immersive virtual reality and the results will be recorded. Likewise, after two weeks, these participants will repeat the dry needling session (with virtual reality) and evaluation, adding a previous exercise session.

Treatment:

Other: Dry needling and immersive virtual reality

Standard dry needling

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants assigned to "Standard dry needling" group will undergo a first session in which the dry needling technique will be performed and the results will be recorded. After two weeks, these participants will repeat the dry needling and evaluation session, in this case adding a previous exercise session.

Treatment:

Other: Dry needling