Article

Dry needling for hypertonia and spasticity (DNHS) is a technique used for
decreasing hypertonia and spasticity and for the improvement of function in
patients with damage to the central nervous system.
There is limited evidence
supporting the effectiveness of this technique on the basis of objective
assessments. The aim of the present case report was to quantify the effects of
dry needling (DNHS technique) on the contractile properties of spastic muscles in
an individual with stroke. The DNHS technique was applied to a 50-year-old male
2.5 years after stroke who had a complaint of spasticity. The treated muscles
were biceps brachii, triceps brachii, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, biceps
femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius. Tensiomyography was
used to assess maximal displacement (Dm) of treated muscles. We performed a
preintervention and postintervention measurement and a follow-up measurement 3
weeks after intervention. After the application of the DNHS technique, a decrease
in the level of local muscle stiffness was observed for all muscles after
intervention and at the 3-week follow-up, quantified by an increase in Dm. The
usefulness of tensiomyography for detecting changes in patients with spasticity
correlated with clinical measures in this field requires further research to
establish the reliability of the different parameters provided by the equipment.

Langue : ANGLAIS