Physiotherapy Dry Needling Accuracy
Reducing Dangerous Placement of Needles by Physiotherapists Who Use Dry Needling (DN) by Introducing Cadaver Anatomy Review: a Randomized Control Trial Assessing Needle Placement Accuracy and Confidence
University of Alberta
60 participants
Apr 10, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the addition of cadaver review improves: * the accuracy of physiotherapists who practice dry needling. * the perceived safety of dry needling by physiotherapists. Researchers will compare the effects of an anatomy review using cadaver material to that of an educational intervention not related to anatomy to see if the anatomy review improves the needling accuracy and safety of physiotherapist who practice dry needling as compared to the control intervention of education not related to anatomy. Participants will: * Needle three muscles related to safety and/or accuracy using ultrasound imaging to gather accuracy and safety measurements. * Take an initial knowledge exam capturing their knowledge on needling safety. * Be randomized into a control group or intervention group. * The control group will receive an online educational session not related to anatomy. * The intervention group will receive a cadaver anatomy review class focused on high-risk area. * Re-take a knowledge exam after their course (either cadaver lab or on-line education) to capture any change. * Needle the same three muscles again using ultrasound to capture accuracy and safety measurements. If reviewing anatomy using cadaver materials improve physiotherapists needling accuracy and safety, then this educational intervention could be recommended to be added to dry needling course instruction.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria2
- Physiotherapy volunteers: Physiotherapists who are in good standing with their regulatory College and licensed to practice dry needling.
- Needling volunteers (those who will be needled) must be able to provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria2
- Physiotherapy volunteers: Physiotherapists who are not in good standing with their regulatory College or not licensed to practice dry needling or have taken a cadaver review class post-graduation from their entry to practice physiotherapy program.
- Needling volunteers (those who will be needled): Anyone who posses any contraindications to dry needling or not within normal BMI measurements
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Interventions
Education relating to the theory of dry needling by physiotherapists
Educational instruction regarding the safe implementation of dry needling by physiotherapists using cadaver material.
Locations(1)
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NCT06845969