Virtual Reality in Invasive Techniques in Physiotherapy

University of Valencia40 enrolled

Overview

Dry needling is a common physical therapy technique that uses solid acupuncture needles that are repeatedly inserted and removed into the human body. These techniques, despite their benefits, can cause pain. The objective of this study is to analyze the use of virtual reality as a distractor in invasive techniques in physiotherapy. The hypothesis is that the use of immersive virtual reality, evoking relaxation situations, will reduce the sensation of pain during and/or after the technique. To do this, healthy participants will be recruited and the participants will be divided into two groups (experimental and control). Participants in the experimental group will undergo the dry needling technique on latent myofascial trigger points along with the use of immersive virtual reality. The same technique will be performed on participants in the control group but without the use of virtual reality. Pain during and after puncture and strength after puncture will be evaluated.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Pain

Interventions

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. The procedure will be carried out simultaneously with the use of immersive virtual reality distraction software, applied through MetaQuest 2 virtual reality glasses. This procedure consists of immersive visualization (video and sound images that represent scenes related to relaxation). In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

Dry needlingOTHER

The study consists of two sessions, separated by a period of two weeks. In the first session, a dry needling procedure based on the Hong technique is performed on the main latent myofascial trigger point of the medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis quadriceps or biceps femoris muscles. In the second session, the same procedure will be repeated, with the addition that the participants will perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions (12RM intensity) of the plantar flexion exercises prior to performing the dry needling technique. of ankle, knee extension or knee flexion (depending on the muscle evaluated) with the aim of stimulating the area to be evaluated, simulating post-exercise fatigue.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Have at least one identifiable latent myofascial trigger point in the muscles studied Exclusion Criteria: * Suffer any musculoskeletal or neural alteration that could alter the results obtained * Suffer from belonephobia or extreme and uncontrollable fear of sharp objects

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain during dry needling

Pain perception during dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)

Time frame: Immediately after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)

Secondary Outcomes

Pain after dry needling

Pain after dry needling technique measured using a numerical pain rating scale (0-10)

Time frame: Immediately after technique application; 30 minutes after technique application; 1 hour after technique application; 6 hours after technique application; 24 hours after technique application in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)

Pain pressure threshold

Pain pressure threshold measured using an algometer

Time frame: Before technique; Immediately after technique; 30 minutes after technique; 60 minutes after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)

Strength

Strength measured using a hand-held dynamometer

Time frame: Before technique; Immediately after technique in each session (two sessions separated by two weeks)