Dry Needling for Multiple Sclerosis

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Needle phobia, Pregnancy, Active cancer, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The investigators are doing this study to see if a treatment called dry needling improves muscle spasticity (muscle tightness) in people who have Multiple Sclerosis. Dry needling involves using tiny needles, like those in acupuncture, to target some muscles, like calf muscles. It differs from traditional acupuncture as it focuses on treating or managing muscle spots, aiming to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Dry needling may offer a minimally-invasive and medication-free approach to improve muscle spasticity. The investigators hope to see if dry needling also helps enhance balance and walking abilities. This might provide potential improvements inoverall mobility and balance.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it does require that you haven't changed any medications, including those for muscle tightness, in the past three months.

How is the treatment Dry Needling unique for Multiple Sclerosis?

Dry Needling is unique for Multiple Sclerosis as it targets muscular trigger points to reduce pain and muscle tension, potentially improving gait and quality of life. Unlike other treatments, it involves inserting thin needles into specific muscles to release tension and improve muscle function, which is a novel approach for this condition. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis who experience muscle tightness and spasms. Participants should be interested in a minimally-invasive, medication-free approach to manage these symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to visit the lab for a mobility test and have a stiffness level of II or III.

I am 18-64 with MS, have leg spasticity, and a PDDS score of 5 or less.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to communicate effectively with study personnel

Presence of needle phobia

Presence of an active implanted device

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dry needling treatment to improve muscle spasticity, balance, and mobility

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person, one per week)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Dry Needling (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial Overview The study tests dry needling, which uses tiny needles on muscles to reduce stiffness and pain, against sham (fake) dry needling. The goal is to see if it improves spasticity, balance, and walking in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Participant Groups

Group I: Dry needling Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will complete three sessions of dry needling through three weeks (one session per each week)

Group II: Sham DN Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the control group will be receiving sham needling

Dry Needling is already approved in United Kingdom, United States for the following indications:

🇬🇧 Approved in United Kingdom as Dry Needling for:

• Knee osteoarthritis pain management
• Muscle strength improvement
• Leg function enhancement

🇺🇸 Approved in United States as Dry Needling for:

• Chronic knee pain relief
• Musculoskeletal pain management
• Myofascial pain syndrome treatment

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations Nearby Select from list below to view details:

Mobility and Falls Lab Kansas City, KS

Human Performance lab Kansas City, KS

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas Medical Center Lead Sponsor

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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. [2021] 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® 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.

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

PERTINENT DRY NEEDLING CONSIDERATIONS FOR MINIMIZING ADVERSE EFFECTS - PART ONE. [2022] Dry needling is an evidence-based treatment technique that is accepted and used by physical therapists in the United States. This treatment approach focuses on releasing or inactivating muscular trigger points to decrease pain, reduce muscle tension, and assist patients with an accelerated return to active rehabilitation.

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Inhibitory effect of dry needling on the spontaneous electrical activity recorded from myofascial trigger spots of rabbit skeletal muscle. [2019] Dry needling of myofascial trigger points can relieve myofascial pain if local twitch responses are elicited during needling. Spontaneous electrical activity (SEA) recorded from an active locus in a myofascial trigger point region has been used to assess the myofascial trigger point sensitivity. This study was to investigate the effect of dry needling on SEA.

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neurophysiological and clinical effects of dry needling in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points. [2017] Dry needling (DN) is a widely used in treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The purpose of this pretest-posttest clinical trial was to investigate the neurophysiological and clinical effects of DN in patients with MTrPs.

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The neurophysiological effects of dry needling in patients with upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: study protocol of a controlled clinical trial. [2021] Dry needling (DN) is an effective method for the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). There is no report on the neurophysiological effects of DN in patients with MTrPs. The aim of the present study will be to assess the immediate neurophysiological efficacy of deep DN in patients with upper trapezius MTrPs.