Effect of Dry Needling on Gluteus Medius Contraction in Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome: a Pilot RCT Protocol

Summary

Grater trochanteric pain syndrome is a hip related pathology that causes lateral hip pain and lack of strength in abductor muscles such as the gluteus medius, which hinders functional activities and daily life, such as standing, walking, sleeping on the affected side... Lack of strength and eccentric control of the gluteus medius may be related to the apparition of myofascial trigger points that are susceptible to treatment with dry needling.

In this study, two groups of patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome will be treated with dry needling, some of them with real dry needling, and others with sham dry needling. Ultrasound will be used to assess whether real dry needling in the pelvitrochanteric musculature improves the potential contraction of the gluteus medius, in relation to a baseline measurement and to sham dry needling.

This study is a randomised clinical trial protocol, pilot study, so there will be no previous references for the sample of both study groups. 3 dry needling interventions will be performed in 3 consecutive weeks, leaving 1 week between each intervention. Data will be collected for the variables to be investigated (potential contraction, pain, function, strength…) before the first intervention, after each intervention, 1 month after the last intervention and at 3 months.

Conditions

• Greater Trocantheric Pain Syndrome

Interventions

OTHER

Dry needling

Dry needling will be performed on the pelvitrochanteric musculature, targeting those muscles where the patient reports mechanical hyperalgesia points upon palpation that reproduce familiar and recognizable pain. No more than 3 different muscles will be treated, and no more than 2 needles will be used per muscle to reduce irritability. The Gluteus Medius muscle will be needled in all patients, and the Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL), Piriformis, and obturator muscles will also be examined. Dry needling will be performed using monofilament needles of different sizes, 0.30mm x 7.5mm, 6mm, and 4mm (AGUPUNT, APS®), depending on the muscle being treated.\" During the dry needling procedure, an attempt will be made to provoke a local twitch response (LTR). Once achieved, the needle will be manipulated with rapid in-and-out movements in different directions until 4 to 6 LTRs are obtained, or if the participant verbally requests the intervention to stop.

OTHER

Sham Dry Needling

The intervention protocol for sham dry needlig will be just as to the real dry needling procedure, but instead of inserting the needle into the muscle, the needle is manipulated to touch the skin without penetrating it. This may involve the use of retractable needles or simply making contact with the skin

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alcala

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

75 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-15

Primary Completion

2025-09-08

Completion

2025-11-08

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations