Effectiveness of adding dry needling of the upper trapezius muscle to the usual physiotherapy for managing chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial with a 7-week follow-up.

研究概要

Thirty patients with chronic neck pain were randomized to receive either dry needling of the upper trapezius muscle combined with usual physiotherapy (n=15) or usual physiotherapy alone (n=15). The primary outcomes were pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and disability (Neck Disability Index). Secondary outcomes included neck active range of motion (AROM) and depression (Beck’s Depression Inventory). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (3 weeks), and at 7 weeks post-randomization. Overall, the results of the study revealed that while pain intensity was significantly lower in the control group immediately post-intervention, disability was significantly lower in the dry needling group at follow-up. The dry needling group also showed improved AROM (extension, flexion, and side bending) and lower depression scores at follow-up. These findings suggest that adding dry needling to usual physiotherapy may be beneficial for improving function and psychological well-being in patients with chronic neck pain.