Manual Therapy to Treat Gluteus Medius Trigger Points

NCT ID: NCT02333617

Last Updated: 2018-01-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

3 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2015-01-31

Study Completion Date

2017-12-31

Brief Summary

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This is a blinded randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of manual therapy to improve hip abduction strength in patients with acute anterior knee pain.

The primary objective of this study is to see if manual therapy to the gluteus medius can significantly alter within-session measurements of hip abductor strength in patients with anterior knee pain.

The secondary objective of this study is to see if manual therapy to the gluteus medius can significantly alter within session pain in patients with anterior knee pain.

Detailed Description

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People with anterior knee pain have significant hip abductor muscle weakness compared to healthy people (Prins, 2009). Hip abductor weakness has a strong correlation with impaired lower extremity mechanics and increased pain with functional activity (Stickler et al. 2014). A study by Roach et al in 2013 found that 97% of patients with anterior knee pain had a trigger point in their gluteus medius muscle, while only 23% of healthy controls had trigger points. Trigger points alter normal muscle activity and increase pain in patients (Lucas, 2010, Ibarra et al 2011). Hip abduction strengthening has been found to significantly decrease pain and improve function in patients with anterior knee pain (Earl, 2011). By decreasing trigger points in the gluteus medius the investigators may be able to increase hip abduction strength reducing pain and dysfunction in patients with anterior knee pain.

Both Dry Needling (DN) and Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) are manual therapy interventions commonly used by physical therapist to decrease trigger points in muscles. Currently, no research has examined the effectiveness of manual therapy to treat trigger points and improve hip abductor strength in patients with anterior knee pain. Clinically, the investigators have noted that after a patient has been treated with STM or DN that the investigators see immediate improvements in hip abduction strength. The investigators do not know if noted improvements result from repeated strength testing practice or actual improved firing strength of muscles.

The primary objective of this study is to see if manual therapy to the gluteus medius can significantly alter within-session measurements of hip abductor strength in patients with anterior knee pain.

The secondary objective of this study is to see if manual therapy to the gluteus medius can significantly alter within session pain in patients with anterior knee pain.

Patients referred to our physical therapy clinic for anterior knee pain will be considered for this study. After explaining the study and answering any patient or parent questions, informed consent will be obtained for those individuals wishing to participate. The participants will be screened to see if they meet the inclusion criteria, and will be randomly to a treatment group (Dry Needling, Soft Tissue Mobilization, Placebo control). This will be a single blinded research study with the assessor being blinded to the intervention. The therapist who performs the hip abductor strength measurements will not be the same therapist who performs the experimental interventions. The patient cannot be blinded to the treatment that they receive. The therapist performing the intervention will open a sealed envelope that allocates patient to Dry Needling, Soft Tissue Mobilization, or Sham Needling group. Following the experimental intervention all patients will perform the same hip and core exercise protocol.

Pre-treatment evaluation measures will be taken on the patient blinded assessor.

These will consist of:

* Hand held dynamometer hip abduction strength measurements.
* Pain with single leg squat

The subject will then receive the appropriate treatment based on his/her random assignment to experimental treatment groups by the treating therapist.

Post-treatment evaluation measures will be taken on all patients by the blinded assessor immediately following treatment. These will be the same measures taken pre-treatment.

* Hand held dynamometer hip abduction strength measurements.
* Pain with single leg squat Patients will then perform the same hip and core exercise protocol, Following these exercises Post-Exercise evaluation measures by the blinded assessor. These will be the same measures taken pre-treatment.

Conditions

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Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Dry Needling and Exercise

Dry Needling to treat gluteus medius trigger points followed by hip and core exercises.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dry Needling

Intervention Type OTHER

Dry Needling will be performed on the patient's ipsilateral gluteus medius muscle with the patient in sidelying. The treating therapist will use the appropriate needle based upon patient's size and location of trigger point \[No. 5 (0.25 x 40mm), No. 8 (0.30 x 50mm), or No. 11 (0.30 x 75mm)\]. They will target trigger points identified in the ipsilateral gluteus medius. Once the needling is inserted into the trigger point the needle will be moved in multiple directions until the first local twitch response is noted. Once the first local twitch response is obtained, the needling will be performed in an up-and-down fashion, performing 2- to 3-mm vertical motions with no rotations (fast-in and fast-out technique), at approximately 1 Hz for 25 to 30 seconds, with the aim of eliciting local twitch responses. The treating therapist can dry needle each trigger point identified in the gluteus medius with a maximum treatment time of 5 minutes.

Hip and core strengthening exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Patient will perform standardized hip and core exercises using body weight, and elastic bands for resistance. Exercises will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization to treat gluteus medius trigger points followed by hip and core exercises.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Intervention Type OTHER

Soft tissue mobilization will be performed on the patient's ipsilateral gluteus medius muscle with the patient in sidelying. The treating therapist will apply firm pressure with the palm and side of their hand. The treating therapist will mobilize the gluteus medius muscle in 4 separate directions (Proximal-Distal, Distal-Proximal, Medial-Lateral, and Lateral-Medial). The treating therapist will apply the pressure to reach the upper limit of the patient's tolerable discomfort. At any point in time the patient can request for the therapist to decrease the pressure applied. The treating therapist will perform soft tissue mobilization for 20 mobilizing strokes in each of the 4 directions.

Hip and core strengthening exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Patient will perform standardized hip and core exercises using body weight, and elastic bands for resistance. Exercises will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

Placebo Control

Placebo to control for hands on time and attention from therapist followed by hip and core exercises.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo Control

Intervention Type OTHER

Treating therapist will place hands on the patient's gluteus medius muscle and gently rub, but not apply enough pressure to treat the muscles trigger point. This placebo control is designed to account for hands on time from therapist in the 2 other treatment groups, as well as blinding patient to treatment group.

Hip and core strengthening exercises

Intervention Type OTHER

Patient will perform standardized hip and core exercises using body weight, and elastic bands for resistance. Exercises will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

Interventions

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Dry Needling

Dry Needling will be performed on the patient's ipsilateral gluteus medius muscle with the patient in sidelying. The treating therapist will use the appropriate needle based upon patient's size and location of trigger point \[No. 5 (0.25 x 40mm), No. 8 (0.30 x 50mm), or No. 11 (0.30 x 75mm)\]. They will target trigger points identified in the ipsilateral gluteus medius. Once the needling is inserted into the trigger point the needle will be moved in multiple directions until the first local twitch response is noted. Once the first local twitch response is obtained, the needling will be performed in an up-and-down fashion, performing 2- to 3-mm vertical motions with no rotations (fast-in and fast-out technique), at approximately 1 Hz for 25 to 30 seconds, with the aim of eliciting local twitch responses. The treating therapist can dry needle each trigger point identified in the gluteus medius with a maximum treatment time of 5 minutes.

Intervention Type OTHER

Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue mobilization will be performed on the patient's ipsilateral gluteus medius muscle with the patient in sidelying. The treating therapist will apply firm pressure with the palm and side of their hand. The treating therapist will mobilize the gluteus medius muscle in 4 separate directions (Proximal-Distal, Distal-Proximal, Medial-Lateral, and Lateral-Medial). The treating therapist will apply the pressure to reach the upper limit of the patient's tolerable discomfort. At any point in time the patient can request for the therapist to decrease the pressure applied. The treating therapist will perform soft tissue mobilization for 20 mobilizing strokes in each of the 4 directions.

Intervention Type OTHER

Placebo Control

Treating therapist will place hands on the patient's gluteus medius muscle and gently rub, but not apply enough pressure to treat the muscles trigger point. This placebo control is designed to account for hands on time from therapist in the 2 other treatment groups, as well as blinding patient to treatment group.

Intervention Type OTHER

Hip and core strengthening exercises

Patient will perform standardized hip and core exercises using body weight, and elastic bands for resistance. Exercises will take approximately 40 minutes to complete.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Acute anterior knee pain of \<90days
* Ipsilateral hip abductor weakness of \>15%

* 2/10 pain with single leg squat

Exclusion Criteria

* Contraindication to dry needling or soft tissue mobilization
* Non-mechanical anterior knee pain
* Fear of needles
Minimum Eligible Age

13 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Mitchell Selhorst

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Mitchell Selhorst

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Mitchell Selhorst, DPT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Nationwide Childrens Hospital

Locations

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Nationwide Children's Hospital Sports and Ortho PT East Broad

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Ireland ML, Willson JD, Ballantyne BT, Davis IM. Hip strength in females with and without patellofemoral pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003 Nov;33(11):671-6. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2003.33.11.671.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 14669962 (View on PubMed)

McCurdy K, Walker J, Armstrong R, Langford G. Relationship between selected measures of strength and hip and knee excursion during unilateral and bilateral landings in women. J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Sep;28(9):2429-36. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000000583.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24942172 (View on PubMed)

Munro A, Herrington L, Carolan M. Reliability of 2-dimensional video assessment of frontal-plane dynamic knee valgus during common athletic screening tasks. J Sport Rehabil. 2012 Feb;21(1):7-11. doi: 10.1123/jsr.21.1.7. Epub 2011 Nov 15.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22104115 (View on PubMed)

Hua NK, Van der Does E. The occurrence and inter-rater reliability of myofascial trigger points in the quadratus lumborum and gluteus medius: a prospective study in non-specific low back pain patients and controls in general practice. Pain. 1994 Sep;58(3):317-323. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(94)90125-2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 7838580 (View on PubMed)

Prins MR, van der Wurff P. Females with patellofemoral pain syndrome have weak hip muscles: a systematic review. Aust J Physiother. 2009;55(1):9-15. doi: 10.1016/s0004-9514(09)70055-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19226237 (View on PubMed)

Roach S, Sorenson E, Headley B, San Juan JG. Prevalence of myofascial trigger points in the hip in patellofemoral pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 Mar;94(3):522-6. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.10.022. Epub 2012 Nov 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23127304 (View on PubMed)

Schmidt J, Iverson J, Brown S, Thompson PA. Comparative reliability of the make and break tests for hip abduction assessment. Physiother Theory Pract. 2013 Nov;29(8):648-57. doi: 10.3109/09593985.2013.782518. Epub 2013 May 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23706084 (View on PubMed)

Stickler L, Finley M, Gulgin H. Relationship between hip and core strength and frontal plane alignment during a single leg squat. Phys Ther Sport. 2015 Feb;16(1):66-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2014.05.002. Epub 2014 Jun 3.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25070759 (View on PubMed)

Thorborg K, Petersen J, Magnusson SP, Holmich P. Clinical assessment of hip strength using a hand-held dynamometer is reliable. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010 Jun;20(3):493-501. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00958.x. Epub 2009 Jun 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19558384 (View on PubMed)

Widler KS, Glatthorn JF, Bizzini M, Impellizzeri FM, Munzinger U, Leunig M, Maffiuletti NA. Assessment of hip abductor muscle strength. A validity and reliability study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009 Nov;91(11):2666-72. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.H.01119.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19884441 (View on PubMed)

Beenakker EA, van der Hoeven JH, Fock JM, Maurits NM. Reference values of maximum isometric muscle force obtained in 270 children aged 4-16 years by hand-held dynamometry. Neuromuscul Disord. 2001 Jul;11(5):441-6. doi: 10.1016/s0960-8966(01)00193-6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11404114 (View on PubMed)

Bohannon RW. Reference values for extremity muscle strength obtained by hand-held dynamometry from adults aged 20 to 79 years. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1997 Jan;78(1):26-32. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(97)90005-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9014953 (View on PubMed)

Crossley KM, Zhang WJ, Schache AG, Bryant A, Cowan SM. Performance on the single-leg squat task indicates hip abductor muscle function. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Apr;39(4):866-73. doi: 10.1177/0363546510395456. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21335344 (View on PubMed)

Childs JD, Piva SR, Fritz JM. Responsiveness of the numeric pain rating scale in patients with low back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2005 Jun 1;30(11):1331-4. doi: 10.1097/01.brs.0000164099.92112.29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15928561 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IRB14-00621

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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