Effects of Dry Needling the Calf Muscles on Biomechanics and Muscle Function in Individuals With Restricted Dorsiflexion

March 11, 2026 updated by: University of Dayton

Acute Effects of Dry Needling the Soleus on Lower Limb Biomechanics and Muscle Function in Individuals With Restricted Dorsiflexion

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the acute effects of dry needling the soleus muscle in individuals with limited ankle mobility

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

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

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Dayton, Ohio, United States, 45440
        • University of Dayton

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

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals must present with decreased dorsiflexion measurement during screening of 35° or less unilaterally or bilaterally based on the weight bearing lunge test

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current and/or historical lower extremity injury or surgery within the last six months
  • Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could impact balance or normal lower extremity function
  • Extreme phobia of needles
  • On blood thinners
  • Chance of pregnancy
  • Known problems with immune system,
  • Presence of diseases or infections that can be spread through bodily fluids

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Individuals with restricted ankle dorsiflexion
Procedure: Dry needling
Dry needling to the soleus muscle

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Peak ankle dorsiflexion
Time Frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of ankle forward bending during the movement. Measured in degrees using both inclinometry and motion capture-based relative segment angles in 3D..
Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Peak ground reaction force
Time Frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of propulsive force measured by a 3D force platform during the movement. Measured in Newtons.
Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Peak muscle activation
Time Frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of electrical excitation of the soleus muscle during the movement. Measured in mV using surface electromyography.
Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Tissue stiffness
Time Frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
A measure of the tissue compliance or stiffness of the soleus muscle. Measured in kPa using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography.
Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Dayton

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 23, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 16, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 11, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 24234654

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

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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