Ankle StiffnessNCT07474948
Effects of Dry Needling the Calf Muscles on Biomechanics and Muscle Function in Individuals With Restricted Dorsiflexion
A study testing Dry needling in people with Ankle Stiffness, run by University of Dayton at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the acute effects of dry needling the soleus muscle in individuals with limited ankle mobility Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Ankle Stiffness
- What is being tested?
- Dry needling
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 23 Feb 2026to 1 Jun 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals must present with decreased dorsiflexion measurement during screening of 35° or less unilaterally or bilaterally based on the weight bearing lunge test
Who cannot join
- Current and/or historical lower extremity injury or surgery within the last six months
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could impact balance or normal lower extremity function
- Extreme phobia of needles
- On blood thinners
- Chance of pregnancy
- Known problems with immune system,
- Presence of diseases or infections that can be spread through bodily fluids
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Dry Needling the Soleus on Lower Limb Biomechanics and Muscle Function in Individuals With Restricted Dorsiflexion
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the acute effects of dry needling the soleus muscle in individuals with limited ankle mobility
- Conditions
- Ankle Stiffness
- Being tested
- Dry needling
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry needlingProcedure or surgery
Dry needling to the soleus muscle
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals with restricted ankle dorsiflexion | Experimental | Not described Receives: Procedure: Dry needling |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Peak ankle dorsiflexion
The maximum amount of ankle forward bending during the movement. Measured in degrees using both inclinometry and motion capture-based relative segment angles in 3D..
Measured: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Peak ground reaction force
The maximum amount of propulsive force measured by a 3D force platform during the movement. Measured in Newtons.
Measured: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Peak muscle activation
The maximum amount of electrical excitation of the soleus muscle during the movement. Measured in mV using surface electromyography.
Measured: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Tissue stiffness
A measure of the tissue compliance or stiffness of the soleus muscle. Measured in kPa using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography.
Measured: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Mar 2026
- Study start23 Feb 2026
- Primary completion1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Ankle StiffnessStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Dayton
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07474948
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 24234654
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 23 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Dry Needling the Soleus on Lower Limb Biomechanics and Muscle Function in Individuals With Restricted Dorsiflexion
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07474948
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 24234654
- Conditions
- Ankle Stiffness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of DaytonUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the acute effects of dry needling the soleus muscle in individuals with limited ankle mobility
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals with restricted ankle dorsiflexion | Experimental | Procedure: Dry needling |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals must present with decreased dorsiflexion measurement during screening of 35° or less unilaterally or bilaterally based on the weight bearing lunge test
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Current and/or historical lower extremity injury or surgery within the last six months
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that could impact balance or normal lower extremity function
- Extreme phobia of needles
- On blood thinners
- Chance of pregnancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needlingDry needling to the soleus muscle | Procedure or surgery | Individuals with restricted ankle dorsiflexion |
Primary outcome
Peak ankle dorsiflexion
Time frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of ankle forward bending during the movement. Measured in degrees using both inclinometry and motion capture-based relative segment angles in 3D..
Peak ground reaction force
Time frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of propulsive force measured by a 3D force platform during the movement. Measured in Newtons.
Peak muscle activation
Time frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
The maximum amount of electrical excitation of the soleus muscle during the movement. Measured in mV using surface electromyography.
Tissue stiffness
Time frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.
A measure of the tissue compliance or stiffness of the soleus muscle. Measured in kPa using ultrasound-based shear wave elastography.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry needling in people with Ankle Stiffness, run by University of Dayton at 1 site in United States.
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 1 inclusion and 7 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Mar 2026. 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 United States. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Peak ankle dorsiflexion (time frame: Pre-post testing on the same day. Post testing will occur within 60 minutes of the intervention.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 16 Mar 2026.