Dry Needling in Multiple Sclerosis

Part of paid clinical trials in Tampa, Florida.

Sponsor: University of South Florida
Study ID: NCT07615725
Status: Recruiting

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Conditions

Multiple Sclerosis

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: ALL
Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

Dry Needling — PROCEDURE
Participants will receive dry needling treatment targeting lower-extremity muscles associated with chronic pain in people with multiple sclerosis. The intervention will be delivered over six treatment sessions by a licensed physical therapist trained in dry needling techniques.
Sham Dry Needling — PROCEDURE
Participants assigned to the sham dry needling group will receive a control procedure designed to mimic the experience of dry needling without therapeutic needle insertion into the target muscle tissue. The procedure will be delivered over six sessions by a licensed physical therapist trained in dry needling and sham procedures.

Study Details

This study is placed at the Human Functional Performance Laboratory in the School of physical therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (MDT building) at University of South Florida. The study is supported by Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. We are doing this study to see if a treatment called dry needling improves chronic pain in the lower limb (from the low back to the foot) in people who have Multiple Sclerosis. Dry needling involves using tiny needles, like those used in acupuncture, to target certain muscles, such as the thigh or calf muscles. It is different from traditional acupuncture because it focuses on treating specific muscle spots to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Dry needling may help reduce your pain without any medication. We also hope to see whether dry needling helps improve balance and walking abilities, which may lead to better day-to-day functioning. In this study, there are two groups. In each group, participants will receive six sessions of dry needling. One group will receive actual dry needling, while the other group will receive a procedure that mimics dry needling. The treatment you get will be chosen by chance, like flipping a coin. Neither you nor the study doctor will choose what treatment you get. You will have an equal chance of being given either treatment or sham treatment. You will not be told which treatment you are getting; however your study doctor will know. You are being asked to take part because you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and are experiencing long-lasting pain in your lower limbs, including the buttocks, thighs, calf, and foot. We want to find out if this treatment will help people with Multiple Sclerosis who have lower limb pain.