title: Dry needling for myofascial pain: prognostic factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study objectives were to evaluate outcomes in patients who have received dry needling treatments and to identify predictors of pain and disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective cohort follow-up design.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the Pain Clinic at Pingtung Christian Hospital, Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two (92) patients sick-listed for 3 months or longer for myofascial pain syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  From February to October 2008, participants were treated at the pain clinic with dry needling of trigger points and muscle stretches of the involved muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires to assess changes in pain intensity and pain interference. Data collection was performed at baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Sociodemographic variables, symptom characteristics, and baseline outcome measures were analyzed using generalized estimating equation methodology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proposed dry-needling protocol reduced pain intensity and pain interference. Long duration of pain symptoms, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress were associated with poor outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dry needling is an effective treatment for reducing pain and pain interference. However, long pain duration, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress are associated with poor outcomes. Treatment outcome depends not only on the dry needling protocol, but also on disease characteristics and patient demographic profile.
authors: Nursing Department, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors: Yuan-Ting
authors: YT
authors: Huang
authors: Shun-Yuan
authors: SY
authors: Lin
authors: Choo-Aun
authors: CA
authors: Neoh
authors: Kuo-Yang
authors: KY
authors: Wang
authors: Yen-Hsuan
authors: YH
authors: Jean
authors: Hon-Yi
authors: HY
authors: Shi
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D009339:Needles; D018710:Pain Clinics; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D061028:Trigger Points