Immediate Effect of Dry Needling on Calf Muscles Pain Pressure Threshold,Sprint Speed and Functional Performance in Amateur Football Player

NCT07525921 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: FUI/FUCP/CTR/01.26/HamzaAliyan
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomised single-blind trial will evaluate the immediate effect of a single session of dry needling versus sham needling on calf muscle myofascial trigger points among amateur football players aged 18-25 years. Primary and secondary outcomes are Pressure Pain Threshold (algometer), Sprint Speed (shuttle run test), and Functional Performance (single-leg hop). Outcomes will be measured immediately pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis will be performed in SPSS version 27 using paired and independent t-tests (p \< 0.05).

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Trigger Points; Gastrocnemius Muscle

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Pressure Threshold

  Pressure Pain Threshold will be measured at the identified myofascial trigger point in the gastrocnemius or soleus using a handheld pressure algometer. The participant will indicate the point at which applied pressure first becomes painful. The recorded value (kg/cm²) reflects mechanical pain sensitivity of the trigger point.

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).

• Functional Performance

  Functional performance will be assessed using Single leg hop test ( distance in centimeters).The Single Leg Hop Test measures lower limb explosive power. Participants will perform three maximal forward hops on one leg. The distance (in centimeters) from the starting line to the heel landing point will be recorded. The average of three trials will be used for analysis. Greater distance indicates improved functional performance.

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).

• Sprint Speed

  Sprint speed will be accessed by Shuttle run test. The speed and agility of lower limb in calf muscle by time taken to complete a short distance shuttle sprint. It reflects the explosive function of calf muscle which is essential for acceleration and direction change in football. Sprint speed will be assessed using a 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants will run back and forth between two markers placed 20 meters apart as quickly as possible. Two trials will be performed, and the fastest time (in seconds) will be recorded to the nearest 0.1 second. Lower time indicates better sprint performance.

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Range of Motion of Ankle Dorsiflexion

  Baseline (Day 0, pre-intervention) and Immediately Post-intervention (within 15 minutes after intervention).

Study Arms (2)

Group A - Dry Needling Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants with active trigger points in the gastrocnemius or soleus will receive dry needling using sterile, single-use filiform needles (0.25-0.30 mm diameter; lengths 30-50 mm chosen per muscle depth). Needles inserted nearly perpendicular (or 45-60° oblique when approaching from side to avoid neurovascular structures) to the skin into identified trigger points using a fast-in/fast-out (pistoning) technique to elicit local twitch responses. Insertion depth typically 1-4 cm. Once local twitch response elicited (or after a maximum of \~5 attempts), the needle will remain in place and needles retained for approximately 10 minutes. Needling will be performed with standard infection-control measures (skin disinfection, gloves, sterile disposal). Single session of \~10-15 minutes.

Procedure: Dry Needling

Group B - Sham Needling Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Sham needling will use a non-penetrating blunted needle housed in an introducer tube placed against the skin over the trigger point. Tactile and auditory cues mimic real needling (a quick tap), but no skin penetration occurs. Pressure, duration, positioning and therapist contact will match the dry needling group. Single session of equal duration.

Procedure: Sham Needling

Interventions

Dry Needling PROCEDURE

A single-session myofascial trigger point dry needling treatment will be administered to identified trigger points in the gastrocnemius and/or soleus muscles using sterile disposable filiform needles. The objective is to mechanically disrupt the dysfunctional motor end plate, elicit local twitch responses, reduce nociceptive activity, and restore muscle function. The intervention is delivered under aseptic conditions by a trained physiotherapist following standard safety guidelines. Post-procedure monitoring will be conducted for minor adverse effects such as soreness or bleeding.

Group A - Dry Needling Group

Sham Needling PROCEDURE

A simulated needling procedure designed to act as a placebo comparator will be applied without skin penetration. The technique reproduces the visual, tactile, and contextual components of dry needling to maintain participant blinding while avoiding physiological stimulation of the muscle. This allows isolation of the true therapeutic effect of dry needling from psychological or expectancy-related responses.

Also known as: Placebo Needling

Group B - Sham Needling Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Amateur football players aged 18-25 years.
• Participation in club-level football for at least one year.
• Presence of active myofascial trigger point in gastrocnemius or soleus confirmed by palpation.
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• History of calf muscle tear, fracture, or lower limb surgery.
• Current use of muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medication.
• Known bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy.
• Local infection, skin lesion, or contraindication to dry needling.
• Neurological or vascular disorders affecting lower limb function.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation University Islamabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Foundation University College of Physical Therapy

Islamabad, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Interventions

Dry Needling

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Hamza Aliyan, DPT

  Foundation University Islamabad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Hamza Aliyan, DPT

CONTACT

03209092006; Hamza.aalyaan@gmail.com

Marwa Asim, MS-OMPT

CONTACT

marwa@fui.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Participants will be blinded to treatment allocation. The sham procedure mimics the sensation and setup of dry needling without skin penetration to maintain participant blinding, while the treating therapist cannot be blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participant will be randomly allocated into two parallel groups; Group A: Dry needling intervention Group B : Sham Needling Control Both Group will undergo baseline assessment followed by a single treatment session and immediate post intervention reassessment. Outcomes will be compared between group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 6, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: August 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion: June 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

PA (1)