Healthy Adult MalesNCT07612969

Comparing The Effect of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) When Coupled With Dry Needling (DN), Acupuncture (AN) or Sham Needling (SN) on Knee Range of Motion (ROM), Jump Height and Unipedal Balance

A study testing Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in people with Healthy Adult Males and Healthy Subjects, run by Mohamad Karam at 1 site in Lebanon.

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

Who is it for?: Ages 18 to 28 years, men only
Conditions the study is for: Healthy Adult Males, Healthy Subjects
What is being tested?: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Could I receive a placebo?: Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people: 65 participants
Where: 1 siteLebanon
Study dates: 16 Jan 2023to 27 Feb 2023
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 18 to 28 years
Men only
No healthy volunteers
Adult

Who may be able to join

moderately active men (Perform at least 60 min of any sport activity on at least 3 days per week)
aged between 18 and 28 years old
having muscular tightness in both hamstrings and quadriceps muscles in both lower limbs

Who cannot join

men who received any surgical, dry needling or acupuncture treatment in the last 6 months prior to the experimentation.
Participants who had suffered from any injuries at the level of the hips, knees or ankles in the 12 months before the study.
participants under anticoagulant medications or suffering from bleeding disorders.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Lebanon1 site

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Beirut, Beirut

Other trials in Lebanon

About this study

Official title: Comparing the Effect of Dry Needle, Acupuncture and Sham Needling When Added to Muscle Release Technique on Knee Range of Motion, Unipedal Balance and Jump Height in Active Men: A Randomized Control Single Blinded Study

Muscle tightness was found to increase injury risks. Muscle relaese techniques and needling were known to reduce muscle tightness, their specific influence on functional muscle performance remains inconclusive. We hypothesized that (1) combining needling modalities with muscle release techniques (PNF) would significantly improve range of motion, unipedal balance, and jump height compared to a sham intervention; and (2) the specific combination of dry needling and PNF would demonstrate superior functional progression compared to the acupuncture and PNF protocol over a 5-week timeframe.

Read the detailed description

Active men with confirmed hamstring and quadriceps tightness in both legs were included. Unipedal balance and jump height were evaluated using Kinetisense®. Subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Group1: Dry needling; Group2: Acupuncture and Group3: Sham needling. All subjects also received PNF application after needling modality. Each participant received 1 session per week for 5 weeks.

Conditions: Healthy Adult Males, Healthy Subjects
Being tested: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needling, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

What participants receive

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

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry NeedlingOther
In addition to Dry needling, subjects also recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with AcupunctureOther
In addition to Acupuncture needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needlingOther
In addition to Sham needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationOther
All subjects recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in addition to the 3 needling types

Study groups in NCT07612969
Study group	Role	What they receive
Dry needling	Experimental	Its a needling technique that is inserted in the muscle in order to reduce muscle tightness Receives: Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling
Acupuncture	Experimental	It is a needling technique based on Chinese medicine Receives: Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture
Sham needling	Experimental	It is a placebo needling technique Receives: Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needling
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation	Experimental	Its a physiotherapy technique that aims to reduce muscle tightness Receives: Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling; Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture; Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needling; Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

What is being measured

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

Range of motion
Knee range of motion was evaluated using a Goniometer
Measured: 1 week before protocol application and 5 weeks after

Secondary outcomes (2)

Jump height
was evaluated using Kinetisence
Measured: 1 week prior to the protocol application and 5 weeks after
Unipedal balance
Was evaluated using Kinetisense
Measured: 1 week prior to the protocol and 5 weeks after

Timeline

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

16 Jan 202327 Feb 2023

First posted29 May 2026
Study start16 Jan 2023
Primary completion20 Feb 2023
Study completion27 Feb 2023

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
Other trials for Healthy Adult MalesStudies 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: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: None (open label)
Enrolment: 65 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07612969
Sponsor's protocol ID: USJ-2023-10
Status last verified: May 2026
First submitted: 17 May 2026
Last updated: 2 Jun 2026
Results posted: No
Data monitoring committee: Yes
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No
Individual data sharing: No

Publications

Kuzdzal A, Trybulski R, Muracki J, Klich S, Clemente FM, Kawczynski A. Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map. Sports Med. 2025 Apr;55(4):811-844. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02175-9. Epub 2025 Feb 10.
PubMed 39928077
Forogh B, Ghaseminejad Raeini A, Jebeli Fard R, Mirghaderi P, Nakhostin-Ansari A, Nakhostin-Ansari N, Bahari H, Hoveidaei AH. Efficacy of trigger point dry needling on pain and function of the hip joint: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Acupunct Med. 2024 Apr;42(2):63-75. doi: 10.1177/09645284231207870. Epub 2023 Dec 27.
PubMed 38149616
Zhu F, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Bai Z, Yan H. Acupuncture Therapy for Extremity Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinically Focused Evidence Synthesis with Therapeutic Implications. J Pain Res. 2025 Oct 24;18:5541-5554. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S551446. eCollection 2025.
PubMed 41164823
Reiner MM, Tilp M, Nakamura M, Konrad A. Is muscle stiffness a determinant for range of motion in the leg muscles? Biol Sport. 2024 Mar;41(2):115-121. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.131821. Epub 2023 Jun 10.
PubMed 38524826

Want to know more?

The sponsor has not listed a contact. The official record may have more details.

Talk to your doctor first and take this page with you. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

Questions to ask the study team

What is the study trying to find out?
What would I need to do, and how often would I visit?
Could I receive a placebo instead of the treatment?
What are the possible risks and benefits for me?
Will it cost me anything? Are travel or time paid for?
Can I keep seeing my own doctor during the study?
What happens when the study ends?

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Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: Comparing the Effect of Dry Needle, Acupuncture and Sham Needling When Added to Muscle Release Technique on Knee Range of Motion, Unipedal Balance and Jump Height in Active Men: A Randomized Control Single Blinded Study
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT07612969
Acronym / sponsor ID: USJ-2023-10
Conditions: Healthy Adult Males, Healthy Subjects
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Completed
Enrolment: 65 participants (actual)
Lead sponsor: Mohamad KaramUniversity, hospital or other
Study start: 16 Jan 2023 (actual)
Primary completion: 20 Feb 2023 (actual)
Study completion: 27 Feb 2023 (actual)
First posted: 29 May 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.

Detailed description

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: None (open label)
Number of arms: 4

Arm	Type	Receives
Dry needling	Experimental	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry NeedlingIts a needling technique that is inserted in the muscle in order to reduce muscle tightness
Acupuncture	Experimental	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with AcupunctureIt is a needling technique based on Chinese medicine
Sham needling	Experimental	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needlingIt is a placebo needling technique
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation	Experimental	Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry Needling, Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Acupuncture, Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needling, Other: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationIts a physiotherapy technique that aims to reduce muscle tightness

Who may qualify

Ages: 18 to 28 years
Sex: Male only
Healthy volunteers: Not accepted
Age groups: Adult

Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)

moderately active men (Perform at least 60 min of any sport activity on at least 3 days per week)
aged between 18 and 28 years old
having muscular tightness in both hamstrings and quadriceps muscles in both lower limbs

Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)

men who received any surgical, dry needling or acupuncture treatment in the last 6 months prior to the experimentation.
Participants who had suffered from any injuries at the level of the hips, knees or ankles in the 12 months before the study.
participants under anticoagulant medications or suffering from bleeding disorders.

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
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Dry NeedlingIn addition to Dry needling, subjects also recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation	Other	Dry needling, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with AcupunctureIn addition to Acupuncture needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular facilitation.	Other	Acupuncture, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation with Sham needlingIn addition to Sham needling, subjects also received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation	Other	Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Sham needling
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular FacilitationAll subjects recieved Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in addition to the 3 needling types	Other	Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

Primary outcome

Range of motion
Time frame: 1 week before protocol application and 5 weeks after
Knee range of motion was evaluated using a Goniometer

2 secondary outcomes

Jump height
Time frame: 1 week prior to the protocol application and 5 weeks after
Unipedal balance
Time frame: 1 week prior to the protocol and 5 weeks after

Results and safety

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

Research links

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jun 2026.
Background: PubMed 39928077Kuzdzal A, Trybulski R, Muracki J, Klich S, Clemente FM, Kawczynski A. Dry Needling in Sports and Sport Recovery: A Systematic Review with an Evidence Gap Map. Sports Med. 2025 Apr;55(4):811-844. doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02175-9. Epub 2025 Feb 10.
Background: PubMed 38149616Forogh B, Ghaseminejad Raeini A, Jebeli Fard R, Mirghaderi P, Nakhostin-Ansari A, Nakhostin-Ansari N, Bahari H, Hoveidaei AH. Efficacy of trigger point dry needling on pain and function of the hip joint: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Acupunct Med. 2024 Apr;42(2):63-75. doi: 10.1177/09645284231207870. Epub 2023 Dec 27.
Background: PubMed 41164823Zhu F, Chen Y, Zhu Y, Bai Z, Yan H. Acupuncture Therapy for Extremity Musculoskeletal Pain: A Clinically Focused Evidence Synthesis with Therapeutic Implications. J Pain Res. 2025 Oct 24;18:5541-5554. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S551446. eCollection 2025.
Background: PubMed 38524826Reiner MM, Tilp M, Nakamura M, Konrad A. Is muscle stiffness a determinant for range of motion in the leg muscles? Biol Sport. 2024 Mar;41(2):115-121. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2024.131821. Epub 2023 Jun 10.
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?

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 3 inclusion and 3 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 2 Jun 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 Lebanon. 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?

Range of motion (time frame: 1 week before protocol application and 5 weeks after). 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 NCT07612969, which also lists 4 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 2 Jun 2026.