Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Linear Scar Tissue

Summary

Scar tissue can cause serious complications that significantly impact a patient's quality of life. Common complications include stiffness and contractions, which can restrict joint mobility and make daily activities challenging. In severe cases, these limitations can even prevent patients from fulfilling their work responsibilities or engaging in activities they enjoy. The deleterious effect of scar tissue on a patient's well-being is of utmost significance. However, several therapeutic approaches have been proposed to manage scar tissue complications. Enhancing scar tissue compliance can help patients regain their functional abilities and reduce limitations. One such approach is dry needling, a technique used to improve the flexibility of myofascial tightness. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of dry needling in improving scar tissue compliance remains debatable. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of dry needling on complications resulting from linear hypertrophic scars caused by surgery or trauma.

Conditions

• Scar Tissue
• Hypertrophic Scar
• Hypertrophic Scar of Upper Arm (Disorder)
• Hypertrophic Surgical Scar
• Dry Needling

Interventions

OTHER

True dry needling

Prior to the procedure, participants will be given a detailed explanation of the dry needling technique. Afterward, the specific area will be thoroughly cleaned using an alcohol pad. In the true dry needling group, along with routine physiotherapy, a sterile filiform acupuncture needle, measuring 2 cm in length and designed for single-use, will be inserted at a 15-degree angle relative to the skin's surface, directly into the scar tissue. Once inserted, the needle will be gently rotated to aid in separating tissue adhesions along the path of the scar. Routine physiotherapy includes the application of kinesiology taping, in addition to a 20-minute session of infrared therapy positioned 30 cm away from the scar tissue. A total of six treatment sessions will be administered to the patients, with three sessions per week scheduled over a two-week period.

OTHER

Sham dry needling

The sham group participants will be positioned in a similar manner to those in the experimental group, with a minor exception. Instead of inserting the 2-cm single-use sterile filiform acupuncture needle into the scar tissue, it will be superficially inserted at a point further away from the scar tissue and removed after 20 minutes. Moreover, routine physiotherapy administered to the participants in the sham group will be identical to that of the experimental group, ensuring consistency between the two groups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Iran University of Medical Sciences

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-10-10

Primary Completion

2024-11-01

Completion

2025-06-01

Countries

• United States
• Iran

Study Locations