Randomized Trial on Comparison of the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Dry Needling in Myofascial Trigger Points

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy and dry needling in the treatment of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Design A total of 65 patients with myofascial trigger points were randomly divided into extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (n = 32) and dry needling group (n = 33). Patients received 3 wks of treatment at 1-wk intervals (in both groups). Visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold, Neck Disability Index, and shear modulus were evaluated before treatment, immediately after the first therapy, 1 mo, and 3 mos after the completion of the third therapy. Results Significant improvements of visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold, and Neck Disability Index scores were observed at all time points after treatment (P < 0.01) in both treatment groups. The shear modulus of myofascial trigger points was reduced in both dry needling group (P < 0.05) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy group (P < 0.01) immediately after the first treatment. Significant reductions in shear modulus were maintained up to 3-mo posttreatment in both groups (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy group and dry needling group. Conclusions The extracorporeal shock wave therapy is as effective as dry needling for relieving pain, improving function, and reducing shear modulus for patients with myofascial trigger points after a series of three treatments.

Effects of repeated injection of 1% lidocaine vs. radial extra-corporeal shock wave therapy for treating myofascial trigger points: a randomized controlled trial

“…The rESWT for MTPs of UTM as performed in the present study (three rESWT sessions, one session per week, 2000 rESWs per session with EFD + of 0.10 mJ/mm 2 ) was the least session, similar to some previous studies. 22,28,29,30 resulted in a statistically significant improvement in (i) mean elastic index of UTM, (ii) mean VAS score, (iii) mean pressure pain threshold (PPT), and (iv) mean neck disability index (NDI) at one week and 4 weeks to baseline in the ESWT group, which is in line with previous studies. 22,28,29,30 The intergroup comparison with the 1%lidocaine group revealed statistically significantly better results than the rESWT group at T2 and T3, which was not in line but not statistically significant at T4 at p<0.05, which is in line with a previous study that compared with the dry needle.…”

“…33-36 The reduction in the mean VAS score after rESWT found in the present study is in line with the results of earlier studies on ESWT for MTPs. 21-31 The outcome measures in this study are in line with other studies in PPT 21-23,25,27,29 and NDI. 21,25,26,28,29 There are only one 20 of these studies 21-31 that elastic index was applied to monitor treatment success of ESWT for MTPs.…”

Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck Pain Symptoms: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Three hundred and twenty-four ( n = 324) studies remained after removing duplicates. Two hundred and ninety-five ( n = 295) were excluded after the analysis of titles and/or abstracts, leaving 29 articles for final full-text review [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. One article [ 34 ] was excluded because the comparator was acupuncture intervention and the placebo used laser.…”

“…Fifteen trials (53%, n = 15/28) reported information about adverse effects, with all of them reporting just minor events, and none reported any serious adverse effects [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 45 , 50 ]. Post-needling soreness was the most common adverse event and was reported in 53% (8/15) of the trials [ 27 , 28 , 32 , 38 , 40 , 43 , 45 , 48 ] and resolved spontaneously in 24–48h without further treatment.…”

Acupuncture for lumbar myofascial pain Protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…There are many approaches have been reported to treat MTrPs such as traditional acupuncture, [5–7] manipulation or massage, [8] medications, [9,10] dry needle, [11–15] and other methods. [16–18] Acupuncture has been applied for CLBP worldwide, however, it effect for CLBP caused by LMP has not been determined yet. So, we conducted this review to evaluate the effect of acupuncture for CLBP caused by LMP.…”