Comparing the Effect of Dry Needle, Acupuncture and Sham Needling When Added to Muscle Release Technique on Knee Range of Motion, Unipedal Balance and Jump Height in Active Men: A Randomized Control Single Blinded Study
Sponsor study identifier
interventional
65
1 country
1
Study Start
January 16, 2023
Actual (reported)Primary Completion
February 20, 2023
Actual (reported)Study Completion
February 27, 2023
Actual (reported)Muscle tightness was found to increase injury risks. Muscle relaese techniques and needling were known to reduce muscle tightness, their specific influence on functional muscle performance remains inconclusive. We hypothesized that (1) combining needling modalities with muscle release techniques (PNF) would significantly improve range of motion, unipedal balance, and jump height compared to a sham intervention; and (2) the specific combination of dry needling and PNF would demonstrate superior functional progression compared to the acupuncture and PNF protocol over a 5-week timeframe.
Registry-reported information. Elapsed time and enrollment totals alone do not measure study progress or recruitment pace.
February 27, 2023
Actual (reported)Click on a node to explore related trials.
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Dates and qualifiers reported by the registry. Estimated dates do not confirm that a milestone has occurred.
January 16, 2023
Actual (reported)February 20, 2023
Actual (reported)February 27, 2023
Actual (reported)May 17, 2026
Actual (reported)May 29, 2026
Actual (reported)Range of motion
Knee range of motion was evaluated using a Goniometer
1 week before protocol application and 5 weeks after
Jump height
1 week prior to the protocol application and 5 weeks after
Unipedal balance
1 week prior to the protocol and 5 weeks after
Its a needling technique that is inserted in the muscle in order to reduce muscle tightness
It is a needling technique based on Chinese medicine
It is a placebo needling technique
In addition to Dry needling, subjects also recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
In addition to Acupuncture needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation.
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Kuzdzal A, Trybulski R, Muracki J, Klich S, Clemente FM, Kawczynski A. Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map. Sports Med. 2025 Apr;55(4):811-844. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02175-9. Epub 2025 Feb 10.
Forogh B, Ghaseminejad Raeini A, Jebeli Fard R, Mirghaderi P, Nakhostin-Ansari A, Nakhostin-Ansari N, Bahari H, Hoveidaei AH. Efficacy of trigger point dry needling on pain and function of the hip joint: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Acupunct Med. 2024 Apr;42(2):63-75. doi: 10.1177/09645284231207870. Epub 2023 Dec 27.
65 participants (actual enrollment reported by the registry).
First Submitted
May 17, 2026
First Posted
May 29, 2026
Study Start
January 16, 2023
Actual (reported)Its a physiotherapy technique that aims to reduce muscle tightness
In addition to Sham needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
All subjects recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in addition to the 3 needling types
Registry-reported names are shown in full. Names without a link have not yet been matched to a Syfrah profile.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Zhu F, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Bai Z, Yan H. Acupuncture Therapy for Extremity Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinically Focused Evidence Synthesis with Therapeutic Implications. J Pain Res. 2025 Oct 24;18:5541-5554. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S551446. eCollection 2025.
Reiner MM, Tilp M, Nakamura M, Konrad A. Is muscle stiffness a determinant for range of motion in the leg muscles? Biol Sport. 2024 Mar;41(2):115-121. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.131821. Epub 2023 Jun 10.
Primary Completion
February 20, 2023
Actual (reported)Study Completion
February 27, 2023
Actual (reported)Last Updated
June 2, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-05
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov.
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