Dry Needling in Multiple Sclerosis

Brief summary (registry, in English)

This study is being conducted at the Human Functional Performance Laboratory in the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences (MDT Building) at the University of South Florida. The study is supported by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers. The investigators are conducting this study to determine whether a treatment called dry needling can improve chronic pain in the lower body (from the low back to the foot) in people with Multiple Sclerosis. Dry needling involves inserting tiny needles, similar to those used in acupuncture, into specific muscles, such as the thigh or calf muscles. Unlike traditional acupuncture, dry needling targets specific muscle areas to reduce muscle stiffness and pain. Dry needling may help reduce pain without medication. The investigators also aim to determine whether dry needling can improve balance and walking abilities, potentially leading to better day-to-day functioning. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive six treatment sessions. One group will receive actual dry needling, while the other group will receive a sham procedure designed to mimic dry needling. Treatment assignment will be determined randomly, similar to flipping a coin. Neither participants nor the study doctor will choose the assigned treatment. Each participant will have an equal chance of receiving actual dry needling or the sham procedure. Participants will not be informed of the assigned treatment; however, the study doctor will know the treatment assignment. Participants are being invited to take part in this study because of a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis and the presence of chronic pain in the lower body, including the buttocks, thighs, calves, or feet. The investigators aim to determine whether dry needling can help reduce chronic lower-body pain in people with Multiple Sclerosis.

What you commit to

• Study type: Interventional
• Planned participants: 24
• From 8 May 2026 to the primary completion date, 1 May 2027
• 1 site in 1 country
• Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Age in the registry: 18 years to 80 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

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