Short-Term Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Neuromuscular Control in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

NCT ID: NCT07039240

Last Updated: 2025-06-26

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-03-03
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-11

Brief Summary

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of dry needling on neuromuscular control in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during a single-leg vertical drop landing task. Participants in the intervention group will receive dry needling, while those in the control group will not receive any therapeutic intervention.

The main research question is:

• Can dry needling induce changes in muscle activation, co-contraction magnitude, and biomechanical parameters during landing?

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Control

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Dry Needling

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Dry needling

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

The dry needling intervention will follow the fast-in and fast-out technique using disposable stainless-steel needles (0.35 × 40 mm). After insertion with a quick thrust, the needle will be manipulated in multiple directions to elicit at least one local twitch response (LTR). Once the first LTR is obtained, the needle will be moved vertically within a range of 3-5 mm, without rotation, until a total of three LTRs are elicited. The intervention is expected to last approximately 25-30 seconds.

Interventions

Dry needling

The dry needling intervention will follow the fast-in and fast-out technique using disposable stainless-steel needles (0.35 × 40 mm). After insertion with a quick thrust, the needle will be manipulated in multiple directions to elicit at least one local twitch response (LTR). Once the first LTR is obtained, the needle will be moved vertically within a range of 3-5 mm, without rotation, until a total of three LTRs are elicited. The intervention is expected to last approximately 25-30 seconds.

Intervention Type: PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Individuals who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
• Successful return to recreational sports participation
• For the experimental group, participants must present at least one active or latent trigger point in the vastus medialis (VM) and/or vastus lateralis (VL) muscles on the side ipsilateral to the ligament reconstruction.

Exclusion Criteria

• Peripheral or central neurological disorders
• Systemic or degenerative diseases
• Fibromyalgia
• Iron deficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Belonephobia
• Contraindications to dry needling
• History of dry needling treatment in the lower limbs

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ricardo Paredes

PhD Student

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Center for Rehabilitation Research (CIR), School of Health of Polytechnic of Porto

Porto, , Portugal

Countries

Portugal

Other Identifiers

1804202211322

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id