Dry Needling in Multiple Sclerosis
Purpose
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.
Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
 - Spasticity
 
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
 - Between 18 Years and 64 Years
 - Eligible Sex
 - All
 - Accepts Healthy Volunteers
 - No
 
Inclusion Criteria
- 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 Criteria
- Inability to communicate effectively with study personnel - Needle phobia - Severe varicose veins - Presence of an active implanted device - Pregnancy - Any active cancer or history within 1 year - known or suspected infection at the site of needling or in the surrounding area - Presence of a fixed plantarflexion contracture at the ankle - Acute fracture of dislocation in the region (bilateral lower extremity) - Deep vein thrombosis or peripheral vascular disease - Thrombophlebitis, or active osteomyelitis in the region (bilateral lower extremity) - Any medication changes, including antispastic medicines, for the past three months.
 
Study Design
- Phase
 - N/A
 - Study Type
 - Interventional
 - Allocation
 - Randomized
 - Intervention Model
 - Parallel Assignment
 - Primary Purpose
 - Treatment
 - Masking
 - Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
 
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention | 
|---|---|---|
| 
                        Experimental Dry needling  | 
                    Participants will complete three sessions of dry needling through three weeks (one session per each week) | 
                                                
  | 
                
| 
                        Sham Comparator Sham DN  | 
                    Participants randomized to the control group will be receiving sham needling | 
                                                
  | 
                
Recruiting Locations
                                                    Mobility and Falls Lab
Kansas City 4273837, Kansas 4273857 66103
                                                    
                                                
                    
                                Kansas City 4273837, Kansas 4273857 66103
More Details
- Status
 - Recruiting
 - Sponsor
 - University of Kansas Medical Center