Effects of Dry Needling on Spasticity and Functional Ability

September 15, 2025 updated by: Mohamed A. Abdel Ghafar, Batterjee Medical College

Effects of Dry Needling on Spasticity and Functional Ability in Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study investigates the effects of dry needling on spasticity and its impact on functional ability in individuals with neuromuscular disorders. Using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the research evaluates changes in muscle tone, mobility, and overall motor performance following dry needling intervention. The findings aim to provide evidence on the clinical benefits of dry needling as a therapeutic approach for improving movement efficiency and functional outcomes in patients with spasticity.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Spasticity is a common impairment in individuals with neuromuscular disorders, often leading to limitations in movement, balance, and overall functional performance. Dry needling has emerged as a promising intervention for managing spasticity by targeting hyperactive muscle fibers and reducing abnormal muscle tone. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of dry needling on muscle spasticity and functional ability using standardized clinical measures.

Participants will undergo pre- and post-intervention assessments using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) to quantify changes in muscle tone, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test to evaluate mobility and balance, and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) to assess functional motor skills. The intervention will focus on specific muscle groups affected by spasticity.

By analyzing the relationship between changes in spasticity and functional mobility, this study seeks to determine whether dry needling contributes to measurable improvements in movement efficiency, postural control, and daily functional activities. The findings will provide valuable insights into the role of dry needling as an adjunct therapy in rehabilitation programs, supporting its integration into clinical practice for individuals with neuromuscular disorders.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

48

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Hypertonia score 2 according to MAS
  • Able to understand and follow instructions
  • Able to stand and walk independantly

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants with neurological conditions that involve significant cognitive deficits or severe uncontrolled epilepsy
  • Participants who have undergone surgical procedures within the last 3 months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Traditional physical therapy Group
Traditional physical therapy program based on neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) (3 sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour).
Other: Traditional Physical Therapy
Traditional Physical Therapy based on neurodevelopmental technique
Other Names:
  • Conventional physical therapy
Experimental: Dry needling Group
traditional physical therapy program based on neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) (3 sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour), in addition to dry needling for the spastic calf and adductor muscles.
Other: Traditional Physical Therapy
Traditional Physical Therapy based on neurodevelopmental technique
Other Names:
  • Conventional physical therapy
Other: Dry Needling
Dry Needling in addition to the same traditional physical therapy program
Other Names:
  • Study group

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Modified Ashwarth Scale (MAS)
Time Frame: Week 12 after intervention completion
The MAS measures spasticity on a 6-point ordinal scale from 0 to 4, with an additional 1+ category. Minimum Value (0): No increase in muscle tone (better outcome). Maximum Value (4): Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension (worse outcome). Higher scores indicate greater spasticity, representing a worse outcome.
Week 12 after intervention completion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)
Time Frame: Week 12 after intervention completion.
The GMFM is scored on a 0 to 100% scale, reflecting the percentage of motor tasks successfully performed. Minimum Value (0%): No motor function achieved (worse outcome). Maximum Value (100%): Full achievement of all motor tasks (better outcome). Higher scores indicate better gross motor function and improved mobility.
Week 12 after intervention completion.
Time up and go test (TUG)
Time Frame: Week 12 after intervention completion
The TUG test measures the time (in seconds) taken to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down. Minimum Value (lower time in seconds): Faster completion time indicates better mobility and functional performance. Maximum Value (higher time in seconds): Slower completion time indicates impaired mobility and a higher risk of falls (worse outcome).
Week 12 after intervention completion

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Batterjee Medical College

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 20, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

August 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 26, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 4, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

September 17, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 15, 2025

Last Verified

September 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • BMCDryNeedle

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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