title: Dry Needling Alters Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle and Reduces Pain in Subjects With Chronic Myofascial Pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether dry needling of an active myofascial trigger point (MTrP) reduces pain and alters the status of the trigger point to either a non-spontaneously tender nodule or its resolution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, nonrandomized, controlled, interventional clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University campus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 56 subjects with neck or shoulder girdle pain of more than 3 months duration and active MTrPs were recruited from a campus-wide volunteer sample. Of these, 52 completed the study (23 male and 33 female). Their mean age was 35.8 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three weekly dry needling treatments of a single active MTrP.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline and posttreatment evaluations of pain using a verbal analogue scale, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the status of the MTrP as determined by digital palpation. Trigger points were rated as active (spontaneously painful), latent (requiring palpation to reproduce the characteristic pain), or resolved (no palpable nodule).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Profile of Mood States, Oswestry Disability Index, and Short Form 36 scores, and cervical range of motion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 41 subjects had a change in trigger point status from active to latent or resolved, and 11 subjects had no change (P < .001). Reduction in all pain scores was significant (P < .001).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement in posttreatment cervical rotational asymmetry in subjects as follows: unilateral/bilateral MTrPs (P = .001 and P = 21, respectively); in pain pressure threshold in subjects with unilateral/bilateral MTrPs, (P = .006 and P = .012, respectively); improvement in the SF-36 mental health and physical functioning subscale scores (P = .019 and P = .03), respectively; and a decrease in the Oswestry Disability Index score (P = .003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dry needling reduces pain and changes MTrP status. Change in trigger point status is associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in pain. Reduction of pain is associated with improved mood, function, and level of disability.
authors: Center for the Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, George Mason University, CCID, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030.
authors: Lynn H
authors: LH
authors: Gerber
authors: Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Shah
authors: Department of Statistics, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Rosenberger
authors: Center for the Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Armstrong
authors: Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Turo
authors: Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Otto
authors: Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors: Juliana
authors: J
authors: Heimur
authors: Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
authors: Nikki
authors: N
authors: Thaker
authors: Department of Bioengineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
authors: Siddhartha
authors: S
authors: Sikdar
mesh_terms: D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009339:Needles; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061028:Trigger Points / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult