Virtual Reality in Invasive Techniques in Physiotherapy

Summary

Dry needling is a common physical therapy technique that uses solid acupuncture needles that are repeatedly inserted and removed into the human body. These techniques, despite their benefits, can cause pain. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of virtual reality as a distractor in invasive techniques in physiotherapy. The hypothesis is that the use of immersive virtual reality, evoking relaxation situations, will reduce the sensation of pain during and/or after the technique. To do this, healthy participants will be recruited and the participants will be divided into two groups (experimental and control). Participants in the experimental group will undergo the dry needling technique on latent myofascial trigger points along with the use of immersive virtual reality. The same technique will be performed on participants in the control group but without the use of virtual reality. Pain during and after puncture and strength after puncture will be evaluated.

Conditions

• Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Dry needling and immersive virtual reality

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. The procedure will be carried out simultaneously with the use of immersive virtual reality distraction software, applied through MetaQuest 2 virtual reality glasses. This procedure consists of immersive visualization (video and sound images that represent scenes related to relaxation). In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

OTHER

Dry needling

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Valencia

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Rodrigo Martín-San Agustín, PhD · University of Valencia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-09-03

Primary Completion

2025-02-06

Completion

2025-02-06

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations