Effects of dry needling on mechanical and contractile properties of the upper trapezius with latent myofascial trigger points: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Latent trigger point (LTrP) can cause motor dysfunction and disturb normal patterns of motor recruitment. Objective: To analyze the effects of DN in the upper trapezius (UT) LTrP on pain and the mechanical and contractile properties of the muscle. Design: A randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group-trial. Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers with LTrPs in the UT were randomly divided into a DN-group (n = 26) and a Sham-DN-group (n = 24) and received one session of DN or placebo treatment. Mechanical and contractile properties of the muscle and pressure pain perception (PPP) were evaluated before treatment and in a 30min, 24 h and 72 h follow-up after treatment. Results: In the mechanical properties, the DN-group showed lower values than the Sham-DN-group for dynamic stiffness at 72 h (p = 0.04). The DN-group showed lower values for dynamic stiffness at 72 h from baseline (278.74 +/- 38.40 to 261.54 +/- 33.64 N/m; p = 0.01) and for tone at 72 h from 30min (16.62 +/- 1.27 to 15.88 +/- 1.31 Hz; p = 0.01). In the contractile properties, the DN-group showed higher values for maximal radial displacement (Dm) of the muscle belly at 72 h from baseline (5.38 +/- 1.67 to 6.13 +/- 1.70 mm; p = 0.04), higher values for contraction time at 30min (28.53 +/- 8.80 s; p = 0.03) and lower ones at 72 h (24.74 +/- 4.36 s; p = 0.04) from baseline (26.97 +/- 6.63 s). The DN-group showed a decrease of PPP from baseline to 72 h after treatment (5.16 +/- 1.33 to 4.02 +/- 0.97 mm; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The application of DN in healthy volunteers over LTrPs in the UT decreased dynamic stiffness, tone and contraction time and increased Dm at 72 h after treatment. Additionally, the PPP showed a decrease at 72 h after needling. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04466813

Automated summary

DN treatment for UT LTrP can decrease muscle dynamic stiffness, tone, and contraction time, while increasing maximal radial displacement of the muscle belly. Additionally, pressure pain perception decreases after needling.