Actively Recruiting
The Effects of Dry Needling on Patients With Knee Pain
Led by Ohio State University · Updated on 2026-02-25
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
747 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This study is testing the effectiveness of "dry needling" for pain management and on muscle strength and leg function for those with knee pain. Dry needling consists of small, monofilament needles that are administered directly into the tissue and manipulated to make the muscle relax for pain relief. This technique is used to treat dysfunctions in skeletal muscle and connective tissue to help diminish pain, reduce impairments of body structure and restore function.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Effects of Dry Needling on Patients With Knee Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 18 to 40 years
- Referred for physical therapy
- Have anterior knee pain around the kneecap during stairs, squatting, or running for at least 3 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Unable to provide consent
- Have bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Have received previous dry needling treatments
- Are pregnant
- Have pain history less than 3 months
- Imaging shows other internal knee problems like cartilage defects, ligament injury, or meniscal issues
- Have patellar instability
- Have neurological conditions affecting movement
- Have contraindications to dry needling such as bleeding disorders, needle phobia, active cancer, fever, or infection
- Currently receiving other knee pain treatments outside the study
- Had supervised physical therapy for knee pain within the last 4 weeks
- Had knee surgery less than 6 months ago
- Had surgery to correct the patellofemoral complex like MPFL reconstruction or patellar realignment
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43221
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Kat Rethman, DPT
CONTACT
C
Cody Mansfield, DPT
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
FACTORIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
5
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