Effects of dry needling on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing and psychological distress in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled pilot study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ceballos-Laita, Luis^{a; *} | Medrano-de-la-Fuente, Ricardo^a | Mingo-Gómez, María Teresa^a | Hernando-Garijo, Ignacio^a | Estébanez-de-Miguel, Elena^b | Jiménez-del-Barrio, Sandra^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Surgery, Ophtalmology and Physiotherapy, University of Valladolid, Soria, Spain | [b] Department of Physiatrist and Nursey, Faculty of Health Sciencies, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Luis Ceballos-Laita, Department of Surgery, Ophtalmology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University of Valladolid, c/Universidad s/n 42004, Soria, Spain. Tel.: +34 975129100, ext: 9196; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in neck muscles seem to be related to the main symptoms of patients with chronic neck pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the effects of dry needling (DN) on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing and psychological distress in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled pilot trial was designed. Twenty-one patients with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to the DN group (n= 7), Sham-DN group (n= 7) or Control group (n= 7). All groups received a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Therapeutic Ultrasound (TENS/US) protocol with patient education. The DN and Sham-DN groups received two sessions of DN and sham DN, respectively. The primary outcome was pain intensity. Secondary outcomes were disability, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, psychological distress, self-reported improvement and success of blinding. RESULTS: The DN group showed a greater decrease in pain intensity, disability and pain catastrophizing compared to the Sham-DN group (p< 0.05) and the Control group (p< 0.05). The DN group showed the highest self-reported improvement. CONCLUSION: Adding two sessions of DN in active MTrPs in upper trapezius, levator scapulae and sternocleidomastoid muscles to a TENS/US protocol with patient education decreased pain intensity, disability and pain catastrophizing in patients with chronic neck pain.

Keywords: Neck pain, chronic pain, myofascial trigger points, dry needling, disability

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-200322

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 393-401, 2022