The effect of dry needling versus extracorporeal shockwave therapy on myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle

M.Tech. (Chiropractic)Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of dry needling versus extracorporeal shockwave therapy in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The results of each treatment protocol were compared in terms of pain, pain-pressure threshold and range of motion of the cervical spine. The findings of this study would establish which treatment protocol was more effective in the treatment of active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Method: Thirty participants between the ages of 18 and 40 years took part in this study. All participants presented with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups with each group consisting of 15 participants. Group 1 received the dry needling technique, while Group 2 received extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Procedure: The trial period consisted of seven consultations which were conducted over a period of three weeks. Each participant received a total of six treatments. The purpose of the seventh visit was to obtain final measurements only. Subjective and objective measurements were collected on the first, fourth and seventh visits. Subjective measurements regarding pain were obtained via the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Objective measurements were obtained via the use of the Pressure Algometer to assess physical pressure-pain threshold; and The Cervical Range of Motion Goniometer was used to assess cervical spine range of motion. Results: The results of this study was analysed and interpreted by STATKON at the University of Johannesburg. The Shapiro-Wilk test for normality showed that the data was not normally distributed and therefore non-parametric analyses were utilized for the intragroup and intergroup analyses in this study. The non-parametric Friedman test and post-hoc Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were utilised for the intragroup analyses. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilised for the intergroup analyses. The intragroup analyses on all subjective and objective measurements showed statistically significant differences for both groups. The intergroup analyses on the subjective Numerical Pain Rating Scale and all objective measurements revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups at..