Effects of Dry Needling on Spasticity and Functional Ability

NCT06856473 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BMCDryNeedle
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of dry needling on spasticity and its impact on functional ability in individuals with neuromuscular disorders. Using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), the research evaluates changes in muscle tone, mobility, and overall motor performance following dry needling intervention. The findings aim to provide evidence on the clinical benefits of dry needling as a therapeutic approach for improving movement efficiency and functional outcomes in patients with spasticity.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Keywords

Dry Needle; Spasticity; Functional abilities

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Modified Ashwarth Scale (MAS)

  The MAS measures spasticity on a 6-point ordinal scale from 0 to 4, with an additional 1+ category. Minimum Value (0): No increase in muscle tone (better outcome). Maximum Value (4): Affected part(s) rigid in flexion or extension (worse outcome). Higher scores indicate greater spasticity, representing a worse outcome.

  Week 12 after intervention completion

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)

  Week 12 after intervention completion.

• Time up and go test (TUG)

  Week 12 after intervention completion

Study Arms (2)

Traditional physical therapy Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Traditional physical therapy program based on neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) (3 sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour).

Other: Traditional Physical Therapy

Dry needling Group

EXPERIMENTAL

traditional physical therapy program based on neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) (3 sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour), in addition to dry needling for the spastic calf and adductor muscles.

Other: Traditional Physical Therapy; Other: Dry Needling

Interventions

Traditional Physical Therapy OTHER

Traditional Physical Therapy based on neurodevelopmental technique

Also known as: Conventional physical therapy

Dry needling Group; Traditional physical therapy Group

Dry Needling OTHER

Dry Needling in addition to the same traditional physical therapy program

Also known as: Study group

Dry needling Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Hypertonia score 2 according to MAS
• Able to understand and follow instructions
• Able to stand and walk independantly

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with neurological conditions that involve significant cognitive deficits or severe uncontrolled epilepsy
• Participants who have undergone surgical procedures within the last 3 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Batterjee Medical College: lead

Study Sites (1)

BMC

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Muscle Spasticity

Interventions

Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Muscle Hypertonia; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: The study follows a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design with a parallel-group interventional model to evaluate the effects of dry needling on spasticity and functional outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: Study Group (Intervention Group): Receives dry needling for the spastic calf and adductor muscles in addition to a traditional physical therapy program based on Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) (3 sessions per week, each lasting 1 hour). Control Group: Receives only the traditional physical therapy program (NDT) without dry needling, following the same frequency and duration.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 23, 2025
• First Posted: March 4, 2025
• Study Start: February 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2025
• Study Completion: August 20, 2025
• Last Updated: September 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SA (1)