Hamstring Tightness

NCT02516137 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: IRB00077095
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to find out if individuals with tight hamstring muscles who receive dry needling in addition to a standard stretching exercise program, show an improvement in hamstring tightness and function compared to individuals with tight hamstrings who receive either sham dry needling or no needling (blunt needle) in addition to a standard stretching program.

Conditions

Hamstring Tightness

Keywords

Dry needling

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Change in hamstring muscle extensibility

  Bilateral 90/90 hamstring muscle extensibility passive range of motion (PROM) measurements will be assessed using a goniometer. The goniometer measures the angle of the joint at both extremes of the range of motion (ROM). An increase in the passive range of motion (PROM) indicates increased hamstring muscle extensibility.

  Baseline, at 5 weeks from baseline

• Change in unilateral hop for distance test scores

  The functional performance of the hamstring muscles will be assessed by using the unilateral hop for distance test. The subjects will be instructed to stand on the leg to be tested and hop and land on the same limb. The distance hopped, measured at the level of the great toe, will be measured (centimeters). Scores will be recorded as absolute distance (in centimeters). An increase in the score (distance covered) from baseline to 5 weeks from baseline indicates better functional performance of the hamstrings.

  Baseline, at 5 weeks from baseline

• Change in crossover hop for distance tests scores

  The functional performance of the hamstring muscles will be assessed by using the crossover hop for distance test. The subjects will be instructed to hop forward 3 times while alternately crossing over a marking. The total distance hopped forward will be recorded. The heel of the hop leg will be used to determine the length of the jump. Crossover hop limb symmetry index (LSI) scores for knee function within normal ranges are generally greater than 95%. An increase in the crossover hop limb symmetry index (LSI) from baseline to 5 weeks from baseline indicates better functional performance of the hamstrings.

  Baseline, at 5 weeks from baseline

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in dynamometry pressure readings

  Baseline, at 5 weeks from baseline

Study Arms (3)

Dry needling group

EXPERIMENTAL

Subjects with tight hamstrings will receive dry needling to the hamstrings with the needle inserted into the muscle tissue in addition to a standard hamstring stretching exercise program.

Procedure: Dry needling; Other: Standard hamstring stretching exercise

Sham dry needling group

SHAM COMPARATOR

Subjects with tight hamstrings will receive sham dry needling to the hamstrings with the needle inserted into the subcutaneous tissue in addition to a standard hamstring stretching exercise program.

Procedure: Sham needling; Other: Standard hamstring stretching exercise

No needling group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Subjects with tight hamstrings will receive no needling but have the tip of a blunt needle handle placed on the skin over the hamstrings in addition to a standard hamstring stretching exercise program.

Procedure: Blunt needle placement; Other: Standard hamstring stretching exercise

Interventions

Dry needling PROCEDURE

Dry needling will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. A Seirin L- type 50 mm needle will be inserted into each of the two points to a depth no greater than three-quarters length of the needle into the hamstring muscle for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 10 minutes.

Dry needling group

Sham needling PROCEDURE

Sham dry needling will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. The plastic tube of a Seirin L- type 50 mm needle will be placed against the skin and the needle will be tapped once so that it is inserted subcutaneously no deeper than 5 mm for 30 seconds using a vertical pistoning technique and then statically up to 10 minutes in each location.

Sham dry needling group

Blunt needle placement PROCEDURE

Blunt needle placement will be performed on two points over the hamstring muscles on the randomly determined side. Points 2 cm distal to the ischial tuberosity and halfway between the ischial tuberosity and popliteal crease within the medial and lateral muscle bellies will be identified and the skin cleansed with rubbing alcohol. A blunt needle handle is inserted into a plastic tube which will be placed over the identified points for 30 seconds and then for an additional 10 minutes each. The blunt needle handle only touches the skin without puncturing it.

No needling group

Standard hamstring stretching exercise OTHER

Subjects will be instructed to stretch the back of their thighs, once a day for 3 repetitions, holding for 30 seconds each time performed bilaterally.

Dry needling group; No needling group; Sham dry needling group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Hamstring 90/90 extensibility goniometric measurement of more than 20 degrees of knee flexion bilaterally
• Ability to perform a squat to 90 degrees of knee flexion without assistance of the upper extremities
• Asymptomatic during walking

You may not qualify if:

• History of systemic neurological or arthritic condition
• History of bony or peripheral nerve trauma or surgery lower extremities
• History of treatment with dry needling
• No contraindications to dry needling

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Emory University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Emory Clinic

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

Location

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Dry Needling

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Marie Johanson, PT, PhD, OCS

  Emory University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2015
• First Posted: August 5, 2015
• Study Start: July 1, 2015
• Primary Completion: May 31, 2017
• Study Completion: May 31, 2017
• Last Updated: June 5, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-06

Locations

US (2)