Dry needling versus intramuscular electrical stimulation on deltoid myofascial trigger points

Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling versus intramuscular electrical stimulation in the treatment of shoulder pain attributed to deltoid myofascial trigger points. The outcomes were compared in terms of the changes found in the pain pressure threshold measurements and the pain scales completed by the participants. This study would then validate if the treatment interventions were effective in reducing shoulder pain that is due to deltoid myofascial trigger points. Method: A sample of 30 participants between the ages of 18-50 years, participated in this study. The voluntary participants were randomly assigned into two groups of 15 participants each. Group 1 received dry needling therapy administered to their deltoid myofascial trigger points and Group 2 received therapy in the form of intramuscular electrical stimulation on deltoid myofascial trigger points Procedure: The trial period included six treatments administered over a period of 3-4 weeks, together with a seventh visit for measurements only. The subjective and objective data were gathered at visit 1 (V1), before visit 4 (V4) and visit 7. Subjective measurements comprised of the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Objective measurements were recorded using a pressure algometer. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using the parametric testing that comprised of the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. The Greenhouse-Geisser test and the tests of Within-Subjects Contrasts were conducted for the intragroup analysis. The tests of between-Subject Effects were utilised for the intergroup analysis. Statistical evidence demonstrated a statistically significant difference for the intragroup analysis and no statistical significance for the intergroup analysis. Consequently, no treatment intervention proved to be superior. Conclusion: This study showed that both treatment approaches were effective. According to descriptive statistical analysis of objective and subjective data, group 1 proved to be slightly more effective than group 2, with a slightly higher decrease in pain albeit not statistically different. Intragroup and intergroup analysis illustrated that neither group 1 nor group 2 proved to be superior to the other. Therefore it could...M.Tech. (Chiropractic