Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dry needling of an active myofascial trigger
point (MTrP) reduces pain and alters the status of the trigger point to either a
non-spontaneously tender nodule or its resolution.
DESIGN: A prospective,
nonrandomized, controlled, interventional clinical study. SETTING: University
campus. PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 56 subjects with neck or shoulder girdle pain of
more than 3 months duration and active MTrPs were recruited from a campus-wide
volunteer sample. Of these, 52 completed the study (23 male and 33 female). Their
mean age was 35.8 years. INTERVENTIONS: Three weekly dry needling treatments of a
single active MTrP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Baseline and
posttreatment evaluations of pain using a verbal analogue scale, the Brief Pain
Inventory, and the status of the MTrP as determined by digital palpation. Trigger
points were rated as active (spontaneously painful), latent (requiring palpation
to reproduce the characteristic pain), or resolved (no palpable nodule).
SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Profile of Mood States, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short
Form 36 scores, and cervical range of motion. RESULTS: PRIMARY OUTCOMES: A total
of 41 subjects had a change in trigger point status from active to latent or
resolved, and 11 subjects had no change (P < .001). Reduction in all pain scores
was significant (P < .001). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Significant improvement in
posttreatment cervical rotational asymmetry in subjects as follows:
unilateral/bilateral MTrPs (P = .001 and P = 21, respectively); in pain pressure
threshold in subjects with unilateral/bilateral MTrPs, (P = .006 and P = .012,
respectively); improvement in the SF-36 mental health and physical functioning
subscale scores (P = .019 and P = .03), respectively; and a decrease in the
Oswestry Disability Index score (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Dry needling reduces
pain and changes MTrP status. Change in trigger point status is associated with a
statistically and clinically significant reduction in pain. Reduction of pain is
associated with improved mood, function, and level of disability.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS