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Cerebral Palsy (CP)DRYSPARCNCT06661421

Effects Of Dry Needling On Mobility Among Children With Cerebral Palsy

A study testing Dry Needling and Cerebral Palsy conventional Treatment in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Spasticity, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study explores the potential of dry needling as a treatment for spasticity in the foot among children with cerebral palsy (CP). Dry needling involves inserting fine needles into specific trigger points or tight muscles without injecting any substances, aiming to relieve pain, improve muscle function, and promote… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 6 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for
Cerebral Palsy (CP), Spasticity, Range of Motion
What is being tested?
Dry Needling and Cerebral Palsy conventional Treatment
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
38 participants
Where
1 sitePakistan
Study dates
24 Sep 2024to 1 Jan 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 6 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Age: 6 to 12 years old
  • Walking ability at Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I to II
  • Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score higher than equal to 1 (score up to 2)
  • Ability to understand and execute orders
  • No ongoing rehabilitation intervention

Who cannot join

  • Recent introduction of a new intervention in addition to previous treatments
  • Presence of bleeding disorders or skin conditions
  • Skin sensitivity issues
  • History of seizures within the past six months
  • Previous administration of BTX-A injection within the last 6 months
  • Presence of
  • contraindications to dry needling
  • Lack of consent to participate in the study

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Pakistan1 site
  • Riphah International University

    Lahore, Punjab Province, 54700

Other trials in Pakistan

About this study

Official title: Effects of Dry Needling on Spasticity, Range of Motion, and Functional Mobility Among Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study explores the potential of dry needling as a treatment for spasticity in the foot among children with cerebral palsy (CP). Dry needling involves inserting fine needles into specific trigger points or tight muscles without injecting any substances, aiming to relieve pain, improve muscle function, and promote tissue healing. In CP-related foot spasticity, dry needling may target hypertonic muscles, inducing a local twitch response that helps release muscle tension, reduce spasticity, and enhance overall muscle function. The technique may also stimulate sensory nerves and trigger the release of endorphins, contributing to pain relief and muscle relaxation.

While dry needling has shown effectiveness in reducing spasticity and improving muscle function in adults with conditions such as post-stroke, there is limited research on its benefits for children with CP. This randomized controlled trial aims to address this gap by evaluating the impact of dry needling on spasticity, range of motion, and functional mobility in children with CP.

Read the detailed description

The study will be conducted at Bliss Center of Care and Therapy in Faisalabad, involving 38 participants aged 6 to 12 years, all diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy and classified under the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-II. Participants will be divided into two groups: an experimental group receiving dry needling therapy (DNT) and routine physical therapy (RPT) and a control group receiving RPT only. Critical exclusion criteria include recent interventions, bleeding disorders, fixed joint deformities, recent seizures, Botulinum Toxin injections, or contraindications to dry needling.

Outcomes will be measured using the Wartenberg Pendulum Test, Active and Passive Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion, and the Timed Up and Go Test, which will be assessed before and after a 10-week intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 to determine the efficacy of dry needling in managing spasticity in children with CP.

Being tested
Dry Needling, Cerebral Palsy conventional Treatment
Keywords
Cerebral Palsy, Spasticity, Dry Needling, Range of Motion, Functional Mobility
Medical subject headings
Cerebral Palsy, Muscle Spasticity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Dry NeedlingDevice

    This intervention combines Dry Needling Therapy (DNT) with routine physical therapy for children with spastic cerebral palsy. The experimental group will receive DNT alongside physical therapy, while the control group will undergo only physical therapy. Routine Physical Therapy includes a warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises like hamstring stretches and squats, adjusted over a month with increasing intensity. Dry Needling targets the gastrocnemius muscle using a fast-in, fast-out technique with sterile needles, applied weekly for 10 weeks. This combined approach aims to reduce spasticity, improve mobility, and enhance range of motion, distinguishing it from standard therapies.

  • Cerebral Palsy conventional TreatmentOther

    Sessions will include a 5-minute warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Hamstring stretches will be done with the child supine, one leg flat, and the opposite hip flexed to 90°. Active knee extension will be held for 5 seconds, followed by a 40-second assisted stretch, repeated five times. If a short psoas is detected, a prone psoas stretch will involve assisted hip extension for 5 seconds, followed by a 40-second hold, repeated five times. Strengthening exercises like squats, heel rises, and step-ups with a loaded backpack will target the lower extremities. The program will last one month, with three sessions per week, focusing on hamstring stretches and progressive resistance exercises.

Study groups in NCT06661421
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Dry Needling GroupExperimentalGroup A will receive Dry Needling Therapy (DNT) along with routine physical therapy. Each session includes a 5-minute warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Hamstring stretches will be done with the child supine, one leg flat, and the opposite hip flexed to 90°. Active knee extension will be held for 5 seconds, followed by a 40-second assisted stretch, repeated five times. If a short psoas is detected, psoas stretching will be done prone, with assisted hip extension for 5 seconds and a 40-second hold, repeated five times. Strengthening exercises, including squats, heel rises, and step-ups with a loaded backpack, will target the lower extremities. The program lasts one month with three sessions per week, gradually increasing in intensity. Dry Needling (DN) uses 0.30 × 50 mm needles, applying the fast-in, fast-out technique for 1 minute per muscle. DN is done once per week for 10 weeks, with at least 48 hours between treatments.
Receives: Device: Dry Needling
Conventional Therapy GroupOtherSessions will include a 5-minute warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Hamstring stretches will be done with the child supine, one leg flat, and the opposite hip flexed to 90°. Active knee extension will be held for 5 seconds, followed by a 40-second assisted stretch, repeated five times. If a short psoas is detected, a prone psoas stretch will involve assisted hip extension for 5 seconds, followed by a 40-second hold, repeated five times. Strengthening exercises like squats, heel raises, and step-ups with a loaded backpack will target the lower extremities. The program will last one month, with three weekly sessions focusing on hamstring stretches and progressive resistance exercises.
Receives: Other: Cerebral Palsy conventional Treatment

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Wartenberg Pendulum Test

    In the Wartenberg Pendulum Test, the extended leg of a supine individual is allowed to fall freely, and under normal circumstances, it swings back and forth like a pendulum. However, in spastic limbs, the viscoelastic properties and heightened stretch reflexes dampen the swing, limiting its motion. To conduct the test, the individual should be seated with legs hanging freely and their back supported. They must fully relax the muscles, especially in the tested leg, with gentle support under the thigh if needed. The examiner holds the lower leg above the ankle, ensuring the knee is straight but not hyperextended, and then gently moves the leg to the side before releasing it to swing freely. The examiner observes the initial swing amplitude and subsequent swings, noting any decrease and counting swings until rest. The test is repeated on the other leg for comparison. Reduced amplitude or asymmetry suggests spasticity and the relaxation index (R2 ratio) is commonly measured.

    Measured: The Wartenberg Pendulum Test will be conducted once upon the start of the trial (Pre-test) and once at the end of trial (Post-Test) to check the effect of the research. In total, the Wartenberg Pendulum Test will be performed two times.

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

    Ankle dorsiflexion ROM, active and passive, is assessed with the patient supine and the knee extended, using a manual goniometer. The fulcrum is placed on the lateral malleolus, the stationary arm aligned with the fibula, and the movable arm parallel to the fifth metatarsal. Test-retest reliability of ankle dorsiflexion ROM using a universal goniometer has shown ICC values ranging from 0.75 to 0.96, with a comprehensive score of 0.91, indicating excellent reliability.

    Measured: The Ankle dorsiflexion ROM will be conducted once upon the start of the trial (Pre-test) and once at the end of trial (Post-Test) to check the effect of the research. In total, the Ankle dorsiflexion ROM will be performed two times.

  2. The Ankle dorsiflexion ROM will be conducted upon the start of the trial (Pre-test) and once at the end of trial (Post-Test) to check the effect of the research. In total, the Ankle dorsiflexion ROM will be performed two times.

    The Modified Timed Up and Go (TUG) test evaluates functional ambulatory mobility and dynamic balance in children. It measures the time a child takes to stand seated, walk 3 meters, touch a star on the wall, return to the chair, and sit down. For the procedure, the child starts by sitting on a stool with their feet flat on the floor, knees, and hips at 90° flexion. They are then instructed to stand, walk 3 meters, touch the star on the wall, return to the chair, and sit down. The child may wear regular footwear or orthoses, and walking aids are permitted, but no physical assistance is provided. The timing is recorded with a stopwatch, and there is no time limit; the child may rest if needed without sitting down. The Modified TUG test demonstrates excellent reliability, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.99 for both within-session and test-retest assessments, making it a valuable tool for evaluating mobility in pediatric rehabilitation.

    Measured: The Modified Timed Up and Go Test will be conducted once at the start of the trial (Pre-test) and once at the end of trial (Post-Test) to check the effect of the research. In total, the Modified Timed Up and Go will be performed two times.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted28 Oct 2024
  2. Study start24 Sep 2024
  3. Primary completion15 Dec 2024
  4. Study completion1 Jan 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A sample size of 38 was calculated using Epitool online software, and the mean values of dynamic balance from the previous study were taken. By adding a 10% attrition rate (34+4), the sample size will be 38.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
38 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06661421
Sponsor's protocol ID
REC/RCR&AHS/24/0701
Acronym
DRYSPARC
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
24 Oct 2024
Last updated
13 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Ghannadi S, Shariat A, Ansari NN, Tavakol Z, Honarpishe R, Dommerholt J, Noormohammadpour P, Ingle L. The Effect of Dry Needling on Lower Limb Dysfunction in Poststroke Survivors. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Jun;29(6):104814. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.104814. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

    PubMed 32327366
  • Cruz-Montecinos C, Nunez-Cortes R, Bruna-Melo T, Tapia C, Becerra P, Pavez N, Perez-Alenda S. Dry needling technique decreases spasticity and improves general functioning in incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report. J Spinal Cord Med. 2020 May;43(3):414-418. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1533316. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

    PubMed 30346254

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Dry Needling and Cerebral Palsy conventional Treatment in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Spasticity, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Wartenberg Pendulum Test (time frame: The Wartenberg Pendulum Test will be conducted once upon the start of the trial (Pre-test) and once at the end of trial (Post-Test) to check the effect of the research. In total, the Wartenberg Pendulum Test will be performed two times.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06661421, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Jan 2025.

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