Physiotherapy Dry Needling Accuracy

NCT06845969 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Pro00128708
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the addition of cadaver review improves:

• the accuracy of physiotherapists who practice dry needling.
• the perceived safety of dry needling by physiotherapists. Researchers will compare the effects of an anatomy review using cadaver material to that of an educational intervention not related to anatomy to see if the anatomy review improves the needling accuracy and safety of physiotherapist who practice dry needling as compared to the control intervention of education not related to anatomy. Participants will:
• Needle three muscles related to safety and/or accuracy using ultrasound imaging to gather accuracy and safety measurements.
• Take an initial knowledge exam capturing their knowledge on needling safety.
• Be randomized into a control group or intervention group.
• The control group will receive an online educational session not related to anatomy.
• The intervention group will receive a cadaver anatomy review class focused on high-risk area.
• Re-take a knowledge exam after their course (either cadaver lab or on-line education) to capture any change.
• Needle the same three muscles again using ultrasound to capture accuracy and safety measurements. If reviewing anatomy using cadaver materials improve physiotherapists needling accuracy and safety, then this educational intervention could be recommended to be added to dry needling course instruction.

Conditions

Dry Needling; Physiotherapy

Keywords

Dry Needling; Safety; Accuracy; Physiotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Dry needling accuracy

  The distance in millimeters between the end of the needle tip when the physiotherapist states that they believe that the needle is positioned mid-belly of the target tissue measured to the actual mid belly location of the target tissue.

  This measurement will be taken initially when the subject enrolls in the study (Baseline) and again within two weeks of having received the intervention (either control or experimental) (Follow-up).

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Dry needling safety

  This measurement will be taken initially when the subject enrolls in the study (Baseline) and again within two weeks of having received the intervention (either control or experimental) (Follow-up).

• Self-reported Confidence in needle placement

  This measurement will be taken initially when the subject enrolls in the study (Baseline) and again within two weeks of having received the intervention (either control or experimental) (Follow-up).

• Knowledge exam score (anatomy)

  This measurement will be taken initially when the subject enrolls in the study (Baseline) and again within two weeks of having received the intervention (either control or experimental) (Follow-up).

• Knowledge exam score (Dry Needling)

  This measurement will be taken initially when the subject enrolls in the study (Baseline) and again within two weeks of having received the intervention (either control or experimental) (Follow-up).

Study Arms (2)

Education: dry needling theory

SHAM COMPARATOR

A two hour on-line synchronous educational model focused on dry needling theory.

Other: Education: dry needling theory

Education: Cadaver anatomy review

EXPERIMENTAL

A two hour cadaver lab review course focused on high risk areas for dry needling.

Other: Education: Cadaver anatomy review

Interventions

Education: dry needling theory OTHER

Education relating to the theory of dry needling by physiotherapists

Education: dry needling theory

Education: Cadaver anatomy review OTHER

Educational instruction regarding the safe implementation of dry needling by physiotherapists using cadaver material.

Education: Cadaver anatomy review

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Physiotherapy volunteers: Physiotherapists who are in good standing with their regulatory College and licensed to practice dry needling.
• Needling volunteers (those who will be needled) must be able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Physiotherapy volunteers: Physiotherapists who are not in good standing with their regulatory College or not licensed to practice dry needling or have taken a cadaver review class post-graduation from their entry to practice physiotherapy program.
• Needling volunteers (those who will be needled): Anyone who posses any contraindications to dry needling or not within normal BMI measurements

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Alberta

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G2B7, Canada

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Eric Parent, PhD

  University of Alberta

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Nadine R Crocker, MScPT

CONTACT

7806907442; nrrissli@ualberta.ca

Eric Parent, PhD

CONTACT

eparent@ualberta.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 13, 2025
• First Posted: February 25, 2025
• Study Start: April 10, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

CA (1)