Comparison of the effects of dry needling technique and combination of different manual therapy techniques on electrophysiological and psychological status in patients with myofascial pain syndrome - randomized, controlled, single blind, a pilot study

Abstract

Aims: Our aim was to compare the electrophysiological and psychometric properties of the effects of the dry needling technique, graston technique, and muscle energy technique in treating myofascial pain syndrome. Methods: The study included 21 patients diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and an active trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 7 each. The first group received only exercise and dry needling technique (DNT), the second group received graston technique (GT), muscle energy technique (MET) and exercise, and the third group received only exercise. Evaluations were conducted before and after treatment. The trigger point detected with an algometer in the upper trapezius muscle was evaluated with needle electromyography (EMG). The study used the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to determine its effects on psychological state. Results: The change in EMG variable over time was significant in each treatment group (p<0.05). The improvement in EMG change was more pronounced in the DNT group compared to the other groups. There was also a significant decrease in BDI scores before and after treatment (p<0.05). Pairwise comparison analysis revealed an improvement in the BDI scores of all groups, except the control (exercise) group, after treatment, when compared to pre-treatment. Conclusion: During the trigger point needle EMG examination of all subjects in the study, we detected spontaneous muscle activity (SMA) in addition to entry activity. After treatment, we observed improvement in SMA. These results suggest that the applied techniques are effective in treating trigger points.The effectiveness of the applied techniques can be evaluated in terms of creating alternatives.