The Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Reducing Spasticity and Promoting Mobility and Balance in People With Multiple Sclerosis
University of Kansas Medical Center
Summary
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.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–64 years
- Sex
- All
- 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 dislo…
Interventions
- DeviceDry needling
The dry needling technique will employ in the current proposed study follows the standard technique for needling patients with spasticity
- DeviceSham dry needling
In the control group, The investigators will use the methods proposed by Cushman et al. to apply sham dry needling (DN) to our participants
Location
- Mobility and Falls LabKansas City, Kansas