Riassunto dello studio

One hundred twenty-eight patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomized to receive spinal manipulation, electrical dry needling, and conventional physical therapy (MEDNCPT group, n=65) or conventional physical therapy alone (CPT group, n=63). The primary outcome of interest was pain reduction measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Secondary outcomes included disability (Oswestry Disability Index, Roland Morris Disability Index), global rating of change (GROC), and medication intake. Outcomes were assessed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that patients in the MEDNCPT group experienced significantly greater reductions in pain and disability at the 3-month follow-up compared to the CPT group. The findings suggest that spinal manipulation and dry needling, in addition to conventional therapy, provide greater long-term benefits for pain and disability in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.