Next Article in Journal
Brain Structure and Function: Insights from Chemical Neuroanatomy
Previous Article in Journal
Biochar Can Improve Absorption of Nitrogen in Chicken Manure by Black Soldier Fly
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Life
Volume 13
Issue 4
10.3390/life13040939
life-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by
Ana Isabel Benito-de-Pedro
1,
Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo
1,
Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias
2,
David Rodríguez-Sanz
1,
César Calvo-Lobo
1,* and
María Benito-de-Pedro
3
1
Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
2
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Alcorcón, Spain
3
Facultad HM Hospitales de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Camilo José Cela, 28692 Madrid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Life 2023, 13(4), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040939
Submission received: 21 February 2023 / Revised: 28 March 2023 / Accepted: 1 April 2023 / Published: 3 April 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Fasciae: Histological and Physiopathological Perspective)
Browse Figure
Versions Notes

Abstract

Deep dry needling (DDN) and percutaneous electrolysis (PE) provide the benefit of the mechanical effect of the needle, and PE adds the potential advantages of the galvanic current it incorporates in myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term efficacy between PE and DDN on active MTrPs of the levator scapulae by considering pain intensity. A simple-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out, recruiting patients suffering from non-specific neck pain lasting more than 3 months and with active MTrPs in the levator scapulae muscle (n = 52). Patients were divided into intervention (PE; n = 26) and control (DDN; n = 26) groups and received one treatment session on the active MTrPs of the levator scapulae. Patients were assessed for pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), cervical range of motion (CROM), neck disability and post-needling soreness, immediately after treatment, at 72 h and at 14 days. In addition, pain during treatment was recorded after the procedure. There were no significant differences for pain intensity, post-needling soreness and PPT. We found significant differences in CROM, immediately after treatment (p = 0.043), and at 72 h (p = 0.045), in favor of the PE group. Significant differences were found for neck disability (p < 0.047), immediately post-treatment, in favor of the DDN group. Moreover, there were significant differences for pain during the intervention (p < 0.002), in favor of the DDN group (4.54 ± 2.21) versus the PE group (6.54 ± 2.27). PE and DDN appear to have similar short-term effects. PE proved to be a more painful treatment than DDN. Clinical trial registry: NCT04157426.
Keywords: clinical trial; dry needling; electrolysis; levator scapulae; neck pain clinical trial; dry needling; electrolysis; levator scapulae; neck pain

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Benito-de-Pedro, A.I.; Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, R.; Losa-Iglesias, M.E.; Rodríguez-Sanz, D.; Calvo-Lobo, C.; Benito-de-Pedro, M. Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life 2023, 13, 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040939

AMA Style

Benito-de-Pedro AI, Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo R, Losa-Iglesias ME, Rodríguez-Sanz D, Calvo-Lobo C, Benito-de-Pedro M. Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life. 2023; 13(4):939. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040939

Chicago/Turabian Style

Benito-de-Pedro, Ana Isabel, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias, David Rodríguez-Sanz, César Calvo-Lobo, and María Benito-de-Pedro. 2023. "Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial" Life 13, no. 4: 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040939

APA Style

Benito-de-Pedro, A. I., Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, R., Losa-Iglesias, M. E., Rodríguez-Sanz, D., Calvo-Lobo, C., & Benito-de-Pedro, M. (2023). Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life, 13(4), 939. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13040939

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop