120 Participants Needed

Dry Needling for Knee Pain

MS
LV
KR
CM
Overseen ByCody Mansfield, DPT
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Ohio State University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Approved in 2 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing dry needling for knee pain relief in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The treatment involves inserting small needles into muscles to help them relax and reduce pain. The study aims to see if this method improves pain, muscle strength, and leg function.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you cannot be actively receiving treatment for knee pain outside of the study while enrolled.

How does dry needling treatment for knee pain differ from other treatments?

Dry needling is unique because it involves inserting thin needles into specific muscle areas called trigger points to relieve pain and improve function, unlike other treatments that may rely on medication or physical therapy alone. It can be particularly effective for those who have not responded to conventional treatments, as it targets the muscle's electrical activity to reduce pain.12345

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Dry Needling for Knee Pain?

Research shows that dry needling can reduce pain in the first month after knee surgery, and it is more effective than a placebo. Additionally, dry needling has been found to help with pain and function in knee-related conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome.12678

Who Is on the Research Team?

MS

Matthew S Briggs, DPT, PhD

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 18-40 with knee pain around the patella when doing activities like stairs, squatting, or running for at least 3 months. They must be referred for physical therapy and not currently receiving other treatments for knee pain. People can't join if they have bilateral knee syndrome, recent surgery or PT treatment, pregnancy, neurological conditions affecting movement, needle phobias, bleeding disorders, cancer diagnosis or systemic illnesses.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been referred for physical therapy.
I have had knee pain near my kneecap when moving or squatting for over 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had dry needling treatments before.
I have been experiencing pain for less than 3 months.
Actively receiving treatment for knee pain outside of the current study protocol while enrolled in the study
See 10 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dry needling or sham dry needling to the gluteal and/or quadriceps muscles over 2 consecutive weeks in addition to standard physical therapy

2 weeks
2 sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain, muscle performance, and function after treatment

1 week
Post testing at week 3

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Dry Needling
Trial Overview The study examines dry needling's effectiveness in managing knee pain and improving muscle strength and leg function. Participants will receive either actual dry needling or a sham (fake) procedure alongside their regular physical therapy to compare outcomes.
How Is the Trial Designed?
5Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Quad Dry NeedlingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Receives dry needling to their quadriceps muscles in addition to standard physical therapy treatment.
Group II: Glute Dry NeedlingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Receives dry needling to their gluteal muscles in addition to standard physical therapy treatment.
Group III: ControlActive Control1 Intervention
Receives only standard physical therapy treatment.
Group IV: Glute Sham Dry NeedlingPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Receives sham dry needling to their gluteal muscles in addition to standard physical therapy treatment.
Group V: Quad Sham Dry NeedlingPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Receives sham dry needling to their quadriceps muscles in addition to standard physical therapy treatment.

Dry Needling is already approved in United Kingdom, United States for the following indications:

πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§
Approved in United Kingdom as Dry Needling for:
  • Knee osteoarthritis pain management
  • Muscle strength improvement
  • Leg function enhancement
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
Approved in United States as Dry Needling for:
  • Chronic knee pain relief
  • Musculoskeletal pain management
  • Myofascial pain syndrome treatment

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
891
Recruited
2,659,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Trigger point dry needling shows a moderate effect in reducing pain and improving disability in individuals with patellofemoral pain, based on a meta-analysis of 10 studies involving various knee pain conditions.
While dry needling was effective in the short term, no significant benefits were observed for knee osteoarthritis or post-surgery knee pain, and further high-quality research is needed to assess long-term effects.
Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling for the Management of Knee Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Rahou-El-Bachiri, Y., Navarro-Santana, MJ., GΓ³mez-Chiguano, GF., et al.[2020]
In a study of 54 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, both ischaemic compression and dry needling showed significant improvements in pain, functional status, and sensitivity to mechanical stimulation over a 3-month follow-up period.
There were no significant differences in effectiveness between the two treatment methods, suggesting that both techniques can be considered equally effective for managing symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Comparison of dry needling and ischaemic compression techniques on pain and function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomised clinical trial.Behrangrad, S., Abbaszadeh-Amirdehi, M., Kordi Yoosefinejad, A., et al.[2021]
Dry needling (DN) significantly reduced muscle activity and pain in the upper trapezius muscle of participants with latent trigger points, as shown by lower surface electromyography (sEMG) readings compared to a sham treatment.
Participants receiving DN also experienced a higher pressure pain threshold (PPT) at 72 hours post-treatment, indicating improved pain tolerance compared to those in the sham group.
Changes in electromyographic activity of latent trigger points after a dry needling intervention: a randomised controlled trial.SΓ‘nchez-Infante, J., Bravo-SΓ‘nchez, A., Esteban-GarcΓ­a, P., et al.[2022]

Citations

Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling for the Management of Knee Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2020]
Comparison of dry needling and ischaemic compression techniques on pain and function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomised clinical trial. [2021]
Changes in electromyographic activity of latent trigger points after a dry needling intervention: a randomised controlled trial. [2022]
Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling Immediately After Application on Myofascial Trigger Point in Upper Trapezius Muscle. [2022]
Efficacy of myofascial trigger point dry needling in the prevention of pain after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. [2022]
Dry Needling Combined With Physical Therapy in Patients With Chronic Postsurgical Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Series. [2022]
Inhibitory effect of dry needling on the spontaneous electrical activity recorded from myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle. [2019]
Dry needling trigger points around knee and hip joints improves function in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. [2021]
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