A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial for the Effects of Dry Needling on Upper Limb Dysfunction in Patients with Stroke

Zahra Tavakol,Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari,Lee Ingle,Jan Dommerholt,Shima Ghannadi,Roshanak Honarpishe,Ardalan Shariat,Pardis Noormohammadpour

doi:10.3727/036012921x16112663844923

Abstract

Spasticity is one of the main complications of a stroke. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the result of three sessions of dry needling (DN) versus sham DN on the affected upper limbs in post-stroke survivors. We recruited 24 patients (age 57.0 ± 9.6 years; male 71%). Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: a DN group and a sham DN group. The primary outcome measures were the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and the Box and Block Test (BBT). Secondary outcome measures included active and passive wrist range of motion (AROM and PROM). All assessments were measured at baseline, immediately after the last session of the intervention, and one month later. Patients in the DN group had improved upper limb spasticity and passive wrist range of motion compared to control group (P < 0.05). There were no between-group differences in other outcome measures (P > 0.05). Dry needling is a useful method for improving muscle spasticity in the upper limbs of patients with stroke.

Highlights

Stroke is the second most common cause of death (Lozano et al, 2012) and one of the three leading causes of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across the world (Murray et al, 2013)
The kruskal-wallis was used for between group comparison and Friedman’s test was considered to test for the effects of interventions on spasticity assessed by an ordinal Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS)
Our study examined the effects of three sessions of dry needling vs. sham needling on spasticity of post-stroke survivors

Summary

Introduction

Stroke is the second most common cause of death (Lozano et al, 2012) and one of the three leading causes of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across the world (Murray et al, 2013). Despite the reduction in mortality rates for stroke over the past two decades, the global disease burden rate has increased (Feigin et al, 2014). In Iran, , there is a higher stroke incidence than in Western countries (Feigin et al, 2014; Azarpazhooh et al, 2010). Spasticity contributes to functional disability, ADL dependency, and a diminished quality of life (Sc et al, 2018; Duncan et al, 2003). The treatment of spasticity may restore active, voluntary movements and regain selective motor function, reduce the level of disability, and improve individual health levels

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