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Effects of Dry Needling on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Extensor Digitorum Communis (DRYNEED)

27. juni 2026 opdateret af: Tania López Hernández, University Rovira i Virgili

Effects of Dry Needling and Electrical Dry Needling on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Extensor Digitorum Communis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized single-blind clinical trial aims to compare the effects of different dry needling and electrical dry needling techniques applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm in healthy adults.

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of five groups: a control group, a Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling group, a rotational dry needling group, a bipolar electrical dry needling group, or a monopolar electrical dry needling group. The main outcomes will be post-needling soreness intensity and duration. Secondary outcomes will include pain during the needling procedure, pressure pain threshold assessed by algometry, handgrip strength, range of motion of finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion, perceived comfort during the intervention, and perceived interference of post-needling soreness with daily activities.

Assessments will be performed at baseline, 5 minutes after the intervention, and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention.

Studieoversigt

Status

Rekruttering

Betingelser

Intervention / Behandling

Detaljeret beskrivelse

Myofascial trigger points are hyperirritable spots located within a taut band of skeletal muscle. Latent myofascial trigger points do not cause spontaneous pain but may contribute to motor dysfunction, increased fatigability, reduced range of motion, and altered muscle performance. Dry needling is a commonly used physiotherapy technique for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. However, post-needling soreness is one of the most frequent adverse effects associated with this intervention and may influence patient comfort, adherence, and functional performance in the hours following treatment.

Electrical dry needling, also known as intramuscular electrical stimulation, combines dry needling with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation applied through the inserted needle. Different modalities of electrical dry needling are used in clinical practice, including bipolar and monopolar applications. Nevertheless, limited evidence is available regarding the effect of these techniques on post-needling soreness, particularly when short-duration monopolar stimulation is applied using a pointer-type device.

The aim of this randomized single-blind clinical trial is to compare the effects of different dry needling and electrical dry needling techniques applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm in healthy adults. The primary objective is to compare the effect of electrical dry needling versus Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling on the intensity and duration of post-needling soreness. Secondary objectives include comparing post-needling soreness among the different dry needling techniques, analyzing immediate changes in handgrip strength, assessing changes in finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion range of motion, evaluating pain during the needling procedure, assessing pressure pain threshold by algometry, and analyzing perceived comfort and interference of post-needling soreness with daily activities.

Healthy adults with a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of five groups: control group, Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling group, rotational dry needling group, bipolar electrical dry needling group, or monopolar electrical dry needling group. Participants in the control group will not receive any dry needling intervention but will undergo the same assessment schedule as the intervention groups.

In the Hong fast-in and fast-out dry needling group, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point and repeated fast-in and fast-out movements will be performed. In the rotational dry needling group, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point and a rotational dry needling technique will be applied according to the study protocol. In the bipolar electrical dry needling group, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point, an adhesive electrode will be placed near the needle, and a TENS current will be applied for 15 minutes. In the monopolar electrical dry needling group, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point and stimulation will be applied using a Pointer Plus Excel-II device for 3 minutes.

Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and 5 minutes after the intervention. Post-needling soreness intensity and duration will also be recorded at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the intervention. The study will use separated roles for recruitment, assessment, intervention delivery, and data analysis in order to reduce bias. Outcome assessors and the researcher responsible for data analysis will be blinded to group allocation.

Undersøgelsestype

Interventionel

Tilmelding (Anslået)

150

Fase

  • Ikke anvendelig

Kontakter og lokationer

Dette afsnit indeholder kontaktoplysninger for dem, der udfører undersøgelsen, og oplysninger om, hvor denne undersøgelse udføres.

Studiekontakt

Studiesteder

    • Tarragona
      • Reus, Tarragona, Spanien, 43203
        • Rekruttering
        • Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut
        • Kontakt:

Deltagelseskriterier

Forskere leder efter personer, der passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kaldet berettigelseskriterier. Nogle eksempler på disse kriterier er en persons generelle helbredstilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Berettigelseskriterier

Aldre berettiget til at studere

  • Voksen

Tager imod sunde frivillige

Ja

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 18 to 40 years.
  • Healthy participants with a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
  • No pathology affecting the upper limb where the intervention will be applied.
  • No episode of pain in the upper limb during at least the previous two months.
  • No contraindications to dry needling or electrical dry needling techniques.
  • Voluntary signature of the informed consent form.
  • Willingness to follow the protocol proposed by the research team.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Needle phobia.
  • Coagulation disorders.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Thyroid disorders.
  • Altered skin integrity in the treatment area.
  • Epilepsy.
  • Local or systemic infection.
  • Diagnosed neurological disorders affecting pain perception or neuromuscular function in the region of interest, such as multiple sclerosis or peripheral neuropathies.
  • Generalized chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia.
  • Weekly use of analgesic medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, or other pain-relieving medication.

Studieplan

Dette afsnit indeholder detaljer om studieplanen, herunder hvordan undersøgelsen er designet, og hvad undersøgelsen måler.

Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?

Design detaljer

  • Primært formål: Behandling
  • Tildeling: Randomiseret
  • Interventionel model: Parallel tildeling
  • Maskning: Enkelt

Våben og indgreb

Deltagergruppe / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Ingen indgriben: No Intervention: Control Group
Participants allocated to the control group will not receive any dry needling or electrical dry needling intervention. Outcome variables will be recorded following the same assessment schedule as in the intervention groups.
Eksperimentel: Experimental: Hong Fast-In and Fast-Out Dry Needling Group
Participants allocated to this group will receive dry needling using the fast-in and fast-out technique described by Hong, applied to a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
The skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once the needle has reached the trigger point, 10 fast-in and fast-out movements will be performed. The number of local twitch responses will be recorded.
Eksperimentel: Experimental: Rotational Dry Needling Group
Participants allocated to this group will receive dry needling using a rotational technique applied to a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
The skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once the needle has reached the trigger point, the rotational dry needling technique will be applied according to the predefined study protocol.
Eksperimentel: Experimental: Bipolar Electrical Dry Needling Group
Participants allocated to this group will receive bipolar electrical dry needling applied to a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
The skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once a local twitch response has been obtained, the needle will remain inserted and will act as the negative pole. An adhesive electrode connected to the positive pole will be placed approximately one centimeter from the needle. A TENS current will be applied for 15 minutes at a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 120 milliseconds. The intensity will be increased until visible, non-painful contractions of the extensor digitorum muscle are achieved.
Eksperimentel: Experimental: Monopolar Electrical Dry Needling Group
Participants allocated to this group will receive monopolar electrical dry needling using a Pointer device, applied to a latent myofascial trigger point in the extensor digitorum muscle of the dominant forearm.
The skin will be disinfected with 0.5% alcoholic chlorhexidine. With the participant in supine position, a sterile needle will be inserted into the latent myofascial trigger point of the extensor digitorum muscle. Once a local twitch response has been obtained, the needle will remain inserted in the trigger point. The metallic tip of the Pointer Plus Excel-II device will be placed in contact with the needle, and a TENS current will be applied for 3 minutes at a frequency of 2 Hz and a pulse width of 220 milliseconds. The intensity will be increased until visible, non-painful contractions of the extensor digitorum muscle are achieved.

Hvad måler undersøgelsen?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Post-needling soreness intensity
Tidsramme: 1 week
Post-needling soreness intensity will be assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Participants will rate the intensity of local soreness perceived in the needling area, clearly differentiated from any other type of pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
1 week

Sekundære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Duration of post-needling soreness
Tidsramme: 1 week
The duration of post-needling soreness will be recorded in hours, from the moment of onset until complete disappearance, based on participant self-report during the 24-, 48-, and 72-hour follow-up assessments.
1 week
Pressure pain threshold
Tidsramme: 1 week
Pressure pain threshold will be assessed using pressure algometry over the treated region. The value will be recorded as the minimum pressure that induces the first sensation of pain.
1 week
Range of motion of finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion
Tidsramme: 1 week
Range of motion of finger flexion and wrist palmar flexion will be assessed using a two-arm goniometer and recorded in degrees.
1 week
Pain during needling
Tidsramme: Immediately after the intervention
Pain perceived during the application of the dry needling or electrical dry needling technique will be assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Participants will be asked to report the intensity of pain experienced during the procedure.
Immediately after the intervention
Handgrip strength
Tidsramme: 1 week
Handgrip strength will be assessed using a hand dynamometer and recorded in kilograms. Measurements will be performed at baseline, 5 minutes after the intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
1 week

Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere

Det er her, du vil finde personer og organisationer, der er involveret i denne undersøgelse.

Sponsor

Efterforskere

  • Ledende efterforsker: Tania López Hernández, Unviersitat Rovira i Virgili

Publikationer og nyttige links

Den person, der er ansvarlig for at indtaste oplysninger om undersøgelsen, leverer frivilligt disse publikationer. Disse kan handle om alt relateret til undersøgelsen.

Generelle publikationer

Datoer for undersøgelser

Disse datoer sporer fremskridtene for indsendelser af undersøgelsesrekord og resumeresultater til ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieregistreringer og rapporterede resultater gennemgås af National Library of Medicine (NLM) for at sikre, at de opfylder specifikke kvalitetskontrolstandarder, før de offentliggøres på den offentlige hjemmeside.

Studer store datoer

Studiestart (Anslået)

1. juli 2026

Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)

1. august 2026

Studieafslutning (Anslået)

1. august 2026

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først indsendt

22. juni 2026

Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier

22. juni 2026

Først opslået (Faktiske)

26. juni 2026

Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler

Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)

1. juli 2026

Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier

27. juni 2026

Sidst verificeret

1. juni 2026

Mere information

Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse

Andre undersøgelses-id-numre

  • 06/2026

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