Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction RehabilitationACLRNCT07657195
Dry Needling and Quad Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
A study testing Dry Needling in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Dry Needling, run by Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City at 3 sites in United States.
Trial summary
Dry needling is a skilled intervention provided by trained physical therapists to treat pain, myofascial dysfunction, and a variety of other diagnosis. While there is research demonstrating the benefits of dry needling in reduction of pain and improvement in strength, research in regards the pediatric population is… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 20 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation, Dry Needling, Strength
- What is being tested?
- Dry Needling
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 3 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 20 Dec 2026to 30 Jun 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 20 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Status post subacute quadriceps autograft 6 weeks or less
- Ages 10-20 years
- English and/or Spanish speaking
Who cannot join
- History of surgery on the knee or hip on the testing lower extremity.
- Any surgical intervention to other ligamentous or meniscus structures during time of ACLR
- Any post-surgical complications such as infection
- Current pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States3 sites
Children's Mercy Sports Medicine Center- Village West
Kansas City, Kansas, 66111
Mellony R. Mann, DPT, (913) 717-4750, mjmann@cmh.edu
Shannon Margherio, PT, 816-816-6927, srmargherio@cmh.edu
Children's Mercy Hospital- Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108
Mellony R. Mann, DPT, (913) 717-4750, mjmann@cmh.edu
Shannon Margherio, PT, 816-816-6927, srmargherio@cmh.edu
Children's Mercy - Blue Valley
Overland Park, Kansas, 66223
Mellony R. Mann, DPT, (913) 717-4750, mjmann@cmh.edu
Shannon Margherio, PT, 816-816-6927, srmargherio@cmh.edu
About this study
Official title: Effects of Dry Needling on Quadriceps Muscle Strength in Acute Post-Operative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Quadriceps Autograft in the Pediatric Population
Dry needling is a skilled intervention provided by trained physical therapists to treat pain, myofascial dysfunction, and a variety of other diagnosis. While there is research demonstrating the benefits of dry needling in reduction of pain and improvement in strength, research in regards the pediatric population is very limited. A recent retrospective chart review regarding dry needling trends and outcomes in the pediatric orthopedic population showed the pediatric population is tolerating this treatment and seeing benefits. Physical therapists are already pushing the boundaries and finding additional benefits in the use of dry needling with current patients. A diagnosis frequently seen in sports medicine is surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Over the last couple of years, therapists have seen an increase in the use of quadriceps tendon autograft for reconstruction following ACL tears due to lower incidence rate of retears. Patients have been struggling to regain strength of the quadriceps to meet desired outcomes. The quadricep muscles are one of the major stabilizers of the knee and with a reduction in strength places the patient at a significant increase of retear.
Subjects will be categorized into an experimental group (dry needling intervention + physical therapy) or the control group (physical therapy only) with a N of 20 in each group.
The goal for this research is to determine if dry needling use in the subacute phase of post-operative ACLR following quadriceps autograft can assist with increasing quad strength and improve post-surgical outcomes.
- Being tested
- Dry Needling
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry NeedlingProcedure or surgery
Dry needling is defined as a skilled intervention that utilizes a thin filiform needle to stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissue in managing pain and movement dysfunction. For the Intervention Group, dry needling will be completed to the quadriceps as stated below. Two sessions of dry needling will be done once per week starting in week 6 and finishing by end of week 7.
The patient will be laying in supine. Needles will be placed in the quadriceps muscle. Placement will be at identified trigger points or in mid muscle belly if no trigger point is identified. Electrical stimulation will be applied and increased to an intensity of the patient's tolerance with a visual contraction noted. Electrical stimulation will remain on for 5 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Group | Experimental | For the Intervention Group, dry needling will be completed to the quadriceps muscle. Strength measurements will be taken using a handheld dynamometer in post-operative weeks 6, 7, and 9. Receives: Procedure: Dry Needling |
| Control Group (No dry needling) | No intervention | Participants will not receive dry needling intervention. Strength measurements will be taken using a handheld dynamometer in post-operative weeks 6, 7, and 9. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Muscle strength measurement will be taken with use of the handheld dynamometer and use of stabilizing gait belt. A max force production will be created over three seconds. Three trials will be recorded, and average will be used as the final number. For the intervention group, measurements will be taken immediately prior to dry needling and immediately following dry needling for both sessions of intervention (week 6 and week 7). Additional post intervention measurements will be taken 2 weeks following dry needling intervention (week 9). For the Control Group, measurements will be taken during week 6, week 7, and week 9. Measurements will be taken at the start of the physical therapy visit.
Measured: Muscle strength measurements taken at post-operative week 6, 7, and 9.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Jun 2026
- Study start20 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction RehabilitationStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mellony Mann, Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
- Investigators
- Mellony J Mann, DPT, Principal investigator, Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07657195
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STUDY00003889
- Acronym
- ACLR
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Dry Needling on Quadriceps Muscle Strength in Acute Post-Operative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Quadriceps Autograft in the Pediatric Population
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07657195
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ACLR / STUDY00003889
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas CityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dry needling is a skilled intervention provided by trained physical therapists to treat pain, myofascial dysfunction, and a variety of other diagnosis. While there is research demonstrating the benefits of dry needling in reduction of pain and improvement in strength, research in regards the pediatric population is very limited. A recent retrospective chart review regarding dry needling trends and outcomes in the pediatric orthopedic population showed the pediatric population is tolerating this treatment and seeing benefits. Physical therapists are already pushing the boundaries and finding additional benefits in the use of dry needling with current patients. A diagnosis frequently seen in sports medicine is surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Over the last couple of years, therapists have seen an increase in the use of quadriceps tendon autograft for reconstruction following ACL tears due to lower incidence rate of retears. Patients have been struggling to regain strength of the quadriceps to meet desired outcomes. The quadricep muscles are one of the major stabilizers of the knee and with a reduction in strength places the patient at a significant increase of retear.
Subjects will be categorized into an experimental group (dry needling intervention + physical therapy) or the control group (physical therapy only) with a N of 20 in each group.
The goal for this research is to determine if dry needling use in the subacute phase of post-operative ACLR following quadriceps autograft can assist with increasing quad strength and improve post-surgical outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Needling Group | Experimental | Procedure: Dry NeedlingFor the Intervention Group, dry needling will be completed to the quadriceps muscle. Strength measurements will be taken using a handheld dynamometer in post-operative weeks 6, 7, and 9. |
| Control Group (No dry needling) | No intervention | –Participants will not receive dry needling intervention. Strength measurements will be taken using a handheld dynamometer in post-operative weeks 6, 7, and 9. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 10 to 20 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Status post subacute quadriceps autograft 6 weeks or less
- Ages 10-20 years
- English and/or Spanish speaking
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- History of surgery on the knee or hip on the testing lower extremity.
- Any surgical intervention to other ligamentous or meniscus structures during time of ACLR
- Any post-surgical complications such as infection
- Current pregnancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Dry NeedlingDry needling is defined as a skilled intervention that utilizes a thin filiform needle to stimulate underlying myofascial trigger points, muscular, and connective tissue in managing pain and movement dysfunction. For the Intervention Group, dry needling will be completed to the quadriceps as stated below. Two sessions of dry needling will be done once per week starting in week 6 and finishing by end of week 7. The patient will be laying in supine. Needles will be placed in the quadriceps muscle. Placement will be at identified trigger points or in mid muscle belly if no trigger point is identified. Electrical stimulation will be applied and increased to an intensity of the patient's tolerance with a visual contraction noted. Electrical stimulation will remain on for 5 minutes. | Procedure or surgery | Dry Needling Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength
Time frame: Muscle strength measurements taken at post-operative week 6, 7, and 9.
Muscle strength measurement will be taken with use of the handheld dynamometer and use of stabilizing gait belt. A max force production will be created over three seconds. Three trials will be recorded, and average will be used as the final number. For the intervention group, measurements will be taken immediately prior to dry needling and immediately following dry needling for both sessions of intervention (week 6 and week 7). Additional post intervention measurements will be taken 2 weeks following dry needling intervention (week 9). For the Control Group, measurements will be taken during week 6, week 7, and week 9. Measurements will be taken at the start of the physical therapy visit.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Oct 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Mellony J Mann, DPT principal investigator
Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City
3 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry Needling in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Dry Needling, run by Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City at 3 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 3 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mellony J Mann, DPT (913- 717-4750, mjmann@cmh.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Quadriceps Muscle Strength (time frame: Muscle strength measurements taken at post-operative week 6, 7, and 9.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Oct 2026.