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IRCT20180728040618N12 IRCT 2026-09-04 Effect of dry needling and muscle energy technique on hamstring tightness in athletes The effect of adding dry needling to muscle energy technique on flexibility and physical performance in athletes with hamstring tightness: a randomized controlled trial 2026-09-23 anticipated 30 Pending https://irct.ir/trial/92927 interventional Randomization: Randomized, Blinding: Double blinded, Placebo: Used, Assignment: Parallel, Purpose: Treatment, Randomization description: Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (Intervention and Control) with a 1:1 ratio using a computer-generated randomization list (block randomization with variable block sizes). Allocation concealment was maintained using sealed envelopes, Blinding description: This study is double-blinded (participants and outcome assessor). To blind the participants, sham dry needling is used in the control group. To blind the outcome assessor, group allocations are kept hidden from the assessor. N/A Hamstring muscle tightness. Intervention 1: Intervention group: Participants receive active dry needling applied to active trigger points of the hamstring muscle in 3 sessions (every other day), followed immediately by muscle energy technique (MET) for hamstring stretching. Intervention 2: Control group: Participants receive sham dry needling (using non-penetrating sham needles over the hamstring muscle area) in 3 sessions (every other day), followed immediately by the identical muscle energy technique (MET) protocol as the intervention group. Yes - There is a plan to make this available What will be shared: De-identified individual participant data, study protocol, and outcome measurements including AKE ROM, stretch tolerance, and leg hop test results. When: Starting 6 months after publication of the main results in a peer-reviewed journal To whom: Academic and clinical researchers in the field of physiotherapy and sports rehabilitation. Conditions: For systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and secondary analytical studies upon approval of a formal proposal. Where to obtain: Dr. Holakoo Mohsenifar (Email: mohsenifar.h@iums.ac.ir) How to obtain: Applicants must send a formal request email to the principal investigator along with a brief research proposal. The request will be evaluated by the study investigators within a maximum of 14 business days. Comments: Data will be made available solely for non-commercial academic research after signing a data sharing agreement.
public Holakoo Mohsenifar
No. 23, Shah Nazari St, Madar Sq, Mirdamad Blvd, Tehran
Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1540913711 +98 21 2222 8051 mohsenifar.h@iums.ac.ir Iran University of Medical Sciences scientific Holakoo Mohsenifar
No. 23, Shah Nazari St, Madar Sq, Mirdamad Blvd, Tehran
Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of) 1540913711 +98 21 2222 8051 mohsenifar.h@iums.ac.ir Iran University of Medical Sciences Iran (Islamic Republic of) Recreational athletes aged 18 to 35 years Presence of hamstring tightness defined as an Active Knee Extension (AKE) deficit of 20 degrees or greater Signing written informed consent to participate in the study 18 years 35 years Both History of lower extremity surgery, orthopedic injuries, or neurological disorders History of low back pain within the past year History of prior dry needling or acupuncture Needle phobia Coagulation disorders or use of anticoagulant medications Contraindications to dry needling (e.g., diabetes, vascular diseases, epilepsy, active skin lesions/infections at the treatment site, allergy, psychiatric disorders) Concurrent hamstring stretching exercises or participation in other physical therapy or exercise programs during the study period M62.4 Contracture of muscle Rehabilitation Placebo Intervention group: Participants receive active dry needling applied to active trigger points of the hamstring muscle in 3 sessions (every other day), followed immediately by muscle energy technique (MET) for hamstring stretching. Control group: Participants receive sham dry needling (using non-penetrating sham needles over the hamstring muscle area) in 3 sessions (every other day), followed immediately by the identical muscle energy technique (MET) protocol as the intervention group. Active knee extension range of motion (hamstring flexibility). Timepoint: Before intervention and immediately after intervention. Method of measurement: Goniometer during Active Knee Extension (AKE) test. Hamstring stretch tolerance. Timepoint: Before intervention and immediately after intervention. Method of measurement: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during Active Knee Extension test. Single leg hop distance. Timepoint: Before intervention and immediately after intervention. Method of measurement: Measuring tape in centimeters. Triple hop distance. Timepoint: Before intervention and immediately after intervention. Method of measurement: Measuring tape in centimeters. Iran University of Medical Sciences Iran University of Medical Sciences Approved 2026-08-31 Ethics Committee of Iran University of Medical Sciences Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Hemmat Highway, Tehran Tehran Tehran Iran (Islamic Republic of)