Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Athletes With Chronic Hamstring Strain

NCT07569484 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006296
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 38
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in athletes with chronic hamstring strain. Chronic hamstring injuries are common among athletes and often lead to persistent pain, reduced performance, and limitations in daily and sports activities. Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used to target myofascial trigger points and relieve muscle tension. This study will compare the effects of dry needling with conventional physiotherapy interventions to determine its role in managing chronic hamstring strain. Participants will be athletes diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain. Outcomes will include pain intensity, muscle flexibility, and functional performance. The results of this study may help improve rehabilitation strategies and provide evidence for the use of dry needling in sports injuries.

Conditions

Hamstring Muscle Strain

Keywords

Dry Needling; Hamstring Strain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity in chronic hamstring strain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Measurements will be taken at baseline and after completion of the intervention period to evaluate changes in pain perception.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Functional Performance

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment

• Hamstring Muscle Strength

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment

• Hamstring Flexibility

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment

• Kicking Speed

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and after 6 weeks of treatment

Study Arms (2)

Control Group (A)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive only the standard rehabilitation program without dry needling.

Procedure: Standard Rehabilitation Program

Intervention Group (B)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive dry needling treatment in addition to a standard rehabilitation program for chronic hamstring strain

Procedure: Dry Needling; Procedure: Standard Rehabilitation Program

Interventions

Dry Needling PROCEDURE

Participants will receive dry needling treatment applied to active myofascial trigger points in the hamstring muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus). Sterile filiform needles will be inserted into identified trigger points to elicit local twitch responses and reduce muscle pain and tightness. Treatment will be performed in addition to a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and strengthening exercises for the hamstring muscle group. Sessions will be administered over the study period according to a predefined treatment schedule.

Intervention Group (B)

Standard Rehabilitation Program PROCEDURE

Participants will receive a standardized rehabilitation program including stretching and eccentric strengthening exercises for hamstring muscles without dry needling.

Control Group (A); Intervention Group (B)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male football players aged 18 to 35 years.
• Diagnosed with chronic hamstring strain (CHS) confirmed by ultrasonography.
• Injury duration of more than 3 months.
• Classified as Grade I or Grade II hamstring strain.
• Currently participating in the competitive phase of football.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 21-25 kg/m².

You may not qualify if:

• Previous exposure to dry needling therapy.
• Presence of any other current lower limb injuries.
• Participation in another hamstring rehabilitation program.
• Active skin infection at or near the treatment area.
• Bleeding disorders or use of anticoagulant medications.
• Severe needle phobia or psychological intolerance to needling.
• Presence of neuromuscular disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophy or peripheral neuropathy).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Abu Qir General Hospital

Alexandria, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (15)

• Petersen J, Thorborg K, et al. Eccentric training prevents hamstring injuries. Am J Sports Med. 2011;39(11):2296-2303.

  BACKGROUND

• Espejo-Antúnez L, et al. Dry needling systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2017;33:46-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.004

  BACKGROUND

• Ekstrand J, Hägglund M, Waldén M. Muscle injuries in professional football. Am J Sports Med. 2016;44(3):576-585. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546515621377

  BACKGROUND

• Dunning J, et al. Dry needling clinical practice review. Phys Ther Rev. 2021;26(5-6):287-307. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2021.1983244

  BACKGROUND

• Croisier JL. Recurrent hamstring injury risk factors. Sports Med. 2004;34(10):681-695. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200434100-00005

  BACKGROUND

• Chaabene H, et al. Hamstring strength assessment systematic review. Sports Med Open. 2019;5:23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0198-7

  BACKGROUND

• Chamorro C, et al. Reliability of handheld dynamometry and isokinetic testing. Open Med. 2014;9(4):382-397. https://doi.org/10.1515/med-2014-0058

  BACKGROUND

• Canosa-Carro L, et al. Dry needling effects on hamstring flexibility and performance. J Sport Rehabil. 2022;31(3):254-261. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2020-0225

  BACKGROUND

• Buckthorpe M, et al. Hamstring injuries in football: risk factors and RTP. Br J Sports Med. 2020;54(19):1081-1091.

  BACKGROUND

• Brukner P. Hamstring injuries: prevention and treatment update. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(19):1241-1244. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-094427

  BACKGROUND

• Bourne MN, et al. Eccentric training and hamstring injury risk. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2017;27(11):1180-1187.

  BACKGROUND

• Bahr R, et al. Hamstring injury prevention programs: systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(17):1077-1085.

  BACKGROUND

• Bahr R, Thorborg K, Ekstrand J. Nordic hamstring survey and prevention adherence. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(22):1466-1471. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094826

  BACKGROUND

• Askling CM, Tengvar M, Saartok T, Thorstensson A. Acute hamstring injuries in elite football: RCT comparing rehabilitation protocols. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47(15):953-959. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092165

  BACKGROUND

• Ahmad CS, Redler LH, Ciccotti MG, Maffulli N, Longo UG, Bradley J. Evaluation and management of hamstring injuries. Am J Sports Med. 2013;41(2):293-302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546512466064

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Dry Needling

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Amr Anas, BSc

  Cairo University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Ebtessam Gomaa, PhD

  Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Marihan Makary

  Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Central Study Contacts

Amr Anas, BSc

CONTACT

+201023924004; amr.anas109@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Master's Student, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University

Model Details: This is a randomized, parallel-group interventional study. Participants will be allocated into two groups: an experimental group receiving dry needling combined with conventional physiotherapy, and a control group receiving conventional physiotherapy alone.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 29, 2026
• First Posted: May 6, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)