RT journal article
T1 Effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Placebo on Gait Performance, Spasticity, Electromyographic Activity, Pain, Range-of-Movement and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol
A1 Luque-Moreno, Carlos
A1 Granja Domínguez, Anabel
A1 Moral Muñoz, José Antonio
A1 Izquierdo Ayuso, Guillermo
A1 Lucena Antón, David Manuel
A1 Heredia Rizo, Alberto Marcos
A2 Enfermería y Fisioterapia
K1 multiple sclerosis
K1 gait disorders
K1 neurologic
K1 pain management
K1 muscle spasticity
K1 physical therapy modalities
K1 dry needling
K1 clinical trial protocol
AB Dry needling (DN) is an emerging technique commonly used in neurological and musculoskeletal pain conditions, but there have been no previous studies in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). This trial aims to assess the efficacy of deep DN, compared with sham placebo DN, on gait performance, spasticity level, pain, electromyographic activity, range-of-movement (ROM) and quality of life in pwMS. Forty adults with MS were randomly assigned to one study group. The DN group will undergo 2 sessions (once per week) using DN over the rectus femoris (RF) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscles at the lower extremity with higher spasticity. The placebo group will receive the same protocol using a sham placebo needle (Dong Bang needle). Outcome measures will include gait performance, using the GaitRite(R) system, spasticity level with the Modified Ashworth Scale, superficial electromyographic activity of RF and GM, pain (pressure algometer), ROM (goniometer), and quality of life (Musiqol). This study is the first investigating the short-term effect of DN, compared with placebo, in pwMS, and taking into account the possible changes in the electromyographic activity of the lower limb. Therefore, the results may help to understand the suitability of using this technique in the clinical setting for this population. Trial registration: ACTRN12619000880145.
PB MDPI
SN 2076-3425
YR 2020
FD 2020-12
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/24400
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/24400
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 21-sep-2026