title: Effects of spray and stretch on postneedling soreness and sensitivity after dry needling of a latent myofascial trigger point.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate (1) the effect of spray and stretch versus control on reducing postneedling soreness of 1 latent myofascial trigger point (MTrP) and (2) whether higher levels of psychological distress are associated with increased postneedling pain intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 72-hour follow-up, single-blind randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy volunteers (N=70; 40 men, 30 women) aged 18 to 36 years (mean age, 21±4y) with latent MTrP in 1 upper trapezius muscle.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects received a dry needling application over the upper trapezius muscle. Then, participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an intervention group, which received spray and stretch over the needled trapezius muscle, and a control group, which did not receive any intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual analog scale (at postneedling, posttreatment, and 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72h after needling), pressure pain threshold (at preneedling, postneedling, and 24 and 48h after needling). Psychological distress was evaluated by using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated a significant interaction between group and time (F3,204.8=3.19; P<.05; ηp(2)=.04) for changes in postneedling soreness. Between-group differences were significant only immediately after intervention (P=.002), and there were no differences found between groups after 6 hours of the intervention (P>.05). Repeated measures of covariance showed that none of the psychological covariates affected these results. Somatization, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility were significantly correlated (P<.05) with postneedling pain intensity. Repeated-measures analysis of variance did not show a significant effect of spray and stretch on mechanical hyperalgesia (F2.6,175=1.9; P=.131; ηp(2)=.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spray and stretch had a short-term (<6h) effect in reducing postneedling soreness of a latent MTrP. Pressure pain threshold did not significantly change after spray and stretch. Psychological factors are related to postneedling pain.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Centro de Estudios Universitarios (CEU)-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: martinpintado.a@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aitor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martín-Pintado Zugasti
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Centro de Estudios Universitarios (CEU)-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ángel L
authors.initials: ÁL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Centro de Estudios Universitarios (CEU)-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García-Muro
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López-López
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Unit, Hospital Provincial de Toledo, Toledo, Spain.
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mayoral
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy, Centro de Estudios Universitarios (CEU)-San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mesa-Jiménez
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Josue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Carnero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005018:Ethyl Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises; D063806:Myalgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles; D061028:Trigger Points; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005018:Ethyl Chloride
keywords: Needles; Pain; Pain threshold; Psychology; Rehabilitation; Trigger points