Effects of dry needling on knee pain management

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of dry needling as a treatment for patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either dry needling to the gluteal or quadriceps muscles, sham treatments, or standard physical therapy alone. The study will measure outcomes such as pain levels, muscle strength, and functional performance through self-reported questionnaires and objective clinical assessments. The goal is to determine if dry needling can enhance recovery and improve function in individuals with knee pain.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-40 years-of-age
* Referred for physical therapy
* Presence of anterior knee pain around the patella during ascending/descending stairs, squatting, and/or running for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unable to provide consent
* Bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome
* Received previous dry needling treatments
* Pregnancy
* History of pain less than 3 months
* Imaging demonstrating the presence of confounding internal abnormality (e.g. chondral defects, ligamentous injury, and/or meniscal pathology),
* Patellar instability
* Presence of a neurological condition that would affect movement
* Contraindications to dry needling techniques (e.g. a history of bleeding disorders, phobia of needles, an active cancer diagnosis, and presence of other systemic illness such as fever or signs of infection)
* Actively receiving treatment for knee pain outside of the current study protocol while enrolled in the study;
* received active and supervised PT treatment for knee pain within the last 4 weeks;
* history of knee surgery less than 6 months ago
* history of surgical correction of the patellofemoral complex (e.g. MPFL reconstruction, patellar realignment surgery, etc)

Where it's running

• The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Matthew S Briggs, DPT, PhD — Ohio State University
• Study coordinator: Kat Rethman, DPT
• Email: katherine.rethman@osumc.edu
• Phone: 614-293-2385

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Kinesio Taping vs McConnell Taping for Patellofemoral Pain: Adding Taping to a Hip-Knee Exercise Program

  This study tests whether Kinesio or McConnell taping, when added to a standardized hip-knee exercise plan, helps people 18–50 with patellofemoral pain more than exercise alone.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Beirut, Beirut · NCT07671482

• Taping methods with hip and knee strengthening for patellofemoral pain

  This study tests whether McConnell taping or Kinesio taping, each with a guided hip and knee strengthening program, helps people aged 26-44 with patellofemoral pain.

  Recruiting Foundation University Islamabad · Islamabad, Punjab Province · NCT07831200

• Tele-rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain in recreational athletes

  A randomized trial tests whether a remote, app-guided exercise program can help recreational athletes with patellofemoral pain as well as traditional in-person physiotherapy.

  Recruiting University of Faisalabad · Faisalābad, Punjan · NCT07693634

• Three Ways to Strengthen the VMO for Patellofemoral Pain

  This study tests whether isometric, isotonic, or eccentric strengthening of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) in the 0–30° knee bend helps reduce knee pain and improve function in adults with patellofemoral pain.

  Recruiting Firat University · Elâzığ, MErkez · NCT07562425

• Saphenous nerve release for patellofemoral (anterior knee) pain

  This trial will try a manual saphenous nerve release to reduce pain and improve knee function and balance in adults 18–35 with patellofemoral pain who have a positive saphenous neurodynamic test.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Cairo · NCT07318987

• Popliteus muscle release versus Kinesio taping for patellofemoral pain

  This will test whether popliteus muscle release or Kinesio taping better reduces pain and improves function in adults 18–30 with patellofemoral pain.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Cairo · NCT07290296

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.