Comparing the remote effects of dry needling and ischemic pressure on pain intensity and threshold of the myofascial trigger points in women: A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to investigate the remote effects of upper trapezius (UT) Dry needling (DN) and ischemic pressure (IP) on the pain intensity and threshold of the MTrPs in the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles. MethodsTwenty-eight subjects were allocated into two groups in a randomized clinical trial study undergoing DN and IP interventions on the MTrPs of the UT muscle for 3 sessions. Pressure pain intensity was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) before and after interventions. Upper limb functions were evaluated by the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire. ResultsThere were significant interactions between muscle, group, and time for PPT, muscle and group, group and time, and muscle and time for VAS (P < 0.05). In DN group, PPTs and VAS of the ECRL and FDI were changed after treatment in all sessions (P < 0.05). In ECRL and FDI muscles, the DN was more effective than IP (P < 0.05). Comparing the pain intensity and threshold of the ECRL, FDI, and UT muscles it was revealed that the improvement in symptoms of the ECRL muscle was the most in the DN group (P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction between group and time for DASH (P < 0.05). In both groups, the DASH score was reduced (P < 0.001). ConclusionsUT muscle DN demonstrated significantly better remote effects in alleviating symptoms of the ipsilateral distal muscles than IP. Both interventions were effective in improving the upper limb function in myofascial pain syndrome patients. Implications for practice•This study evaluated the remote effects of most common treatments on myofascial trigger points.•Dry needling showed therapeutic effects on pain alleviation in terms of both immediate and short term in the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle.•First dorsal interosseous pain threshold and intensity improved following dry needling of the upper trapezius while it is not connected to the upper trapezius muscle myofascially.