Dry Needling for Muscle Tightness in Multiple Sclerosis
Tests dry needling against sham needling to ease muscle tightness in adults with MS.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Dry Needling in Multiple Sclerosis
Key facts
- Where
- Kansas City, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 64 years old?
Source: NCT06394310, who can take part
Where in United States
- Mobility and Falls LabKansas City, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Trial code
- NCT06394310
- Record updated
- 11 June 2025
- Original description
The investigators are doing this study to see if a treatment called dry needling improves muscle spasticity (muscle tightness) in people who have Multiple Sclerosis. Dry needling involves using tiny needles, like those in acupuncture, to target some muscles, like calf muscles. It differs from traditional acupuncture as it focuses on treating or managing muscle spots, aiming to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Dry needling may offer a minimally-invasive and medication-free approach to improve muscle spasticity. The investigators hope to see if dry needling also helps enhance balance and walking abilities. This might provide potential improvements inoverall mobility and balance.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Reducing Spasticity and Promoting Mobility and Balance in People With Multiple Sclerosis
The investigators are doing this study to see if a treatment called dry needling improves muscle spasticity (muscle tightness) in people who have Multiple Sclerosis. Dry needling involves using tiny needles, like those in acupuncture, to target some muscles, like calf muscles. It differs from traditional acupuncture as it focuses on treating or managing muscle spots, aiming to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Dry needling may offer a minimally-invasive and medication-free approach to improve muscle spasticity. The investigators hope to see if dry needling also helps enhance balance and walking abilities. This might provide potential improvements inoverall mobility and balance.
Inclusion: Age 18 to 64 years; Clinical diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis based on the McDonald Criteria; Spasticity in their lower legs; Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) score of 5 or below.
Exclusion: Any medication changes, including antispastic medicines, for the past three months; Any active cancer or history within 1 year; known or suspected infection at the site of needling or in the surrounding area; Deep vein thrombosis or peripheral vascular disease; Inability to communicate effectively with study personnel; Needle phobia; Severe varicose veins; Presence of an active implanted device; Pregnancy; Presence of a fixed plantarflexion contracture at the ankle; Acute fracture of dislocation in the region (bilateral lower extremity); Thrombophlebitis, or active osteomyelitis in the region (bilateral lower extremity).