Comparison of 3 needle sizes for trigger point injection in myofascial pain syndrome of upper- and middle-trapezius muscle: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate (1) the relation between needle diameter and treatment efficacy of myofascial pain syndrome and (2) the relation between needle diameter and pain intensity during injection.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
University-affiliated tertiary-care hospital.


METHODS
Volunteers (N=77) with myofascial pain syndrome affecting upper- and middle-trapezius muscles with at least 3 months' duration of pain.


METHODS
Participants were randomly assigned to receive trigger point injections on 1 side of the trapezius with a 21-, 23-, or 25-gauge needle. After a 1-time injection, participants were followed up for 14 days. Participants and the assessor were blinded for group assignment.


METHODS
Treatment efficacy was measured with the visual analog scale (VAS; at pretreatment, and posttreatment on days 1, 4, 7, 14) for neck and upper-back pain, the Neck Disability Index (NDI; at pretreatment, and posttreatment on days 7, 14), and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36, at pretreatment and posttreatment on days 7, 14) for health-related quality of life. Pain intensity during injection was evaluated immediately after injection with VAS.


RESULTS
VAS scores for posttreatment on days 4, 7, and 14 decreased significantly compared with pretreatment scores in all groups; NDI scores on days 7 and 14 decreased significantly compared with pretreatment scores in all groups; SF-36 scores on days 7 and 14 decreased significantly compared with pretreatment scores in the 21- and 23-gauge needle groups; and SF-36 score on day 14 showed significant difference between the 21- and 25-gauge needle groups. For pain intensity during injection, VAS scores indicated no significant difference between the 3 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
No difference between the needle types was observed in terms of VAS or NDI, or in terms of pain intensity felt by patients during injection. In terms of SF-36 scores, injections with 21- or 23-gauge needles were found to be more effective. However, a well-controlled investigation is needed to explore the effect of needle thickness on health-related quality of life.
Yoon
Seung-Hyun
SH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea. yoonsh@ajou.ac.kr
Rah
Ueon Woo
UW
Sheen
Seung Soo
SS
Cho
Kye Hee
KH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009334:Neck Muscles; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009339:Needles; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics