Rate and Maintenance of Improvement in Myofascial Pain: Dry Needling Alone vs Dry Needling With Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation
Rate and Maintenance of Improvement in Myofascial Pain: Dry Needling Alone vs Dry Needling With Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation
First, we aim to determine if there is a difference in the rate of improvement, as measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), across a 6 week treatment period between those treated with DN only and those treated with DN and intramuscular electrical stimulation (IES) in subjects with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs). Secondly, we want to determine if improvements in clinical outcomes (NDI and NPRS) of patients with upper trapezius active trigger points (aTrPs) treated with dry needling (DN) alone or dry needling with intramuscular electrical stimulation (DN/IES) are maintained 6 weeks post treatment without further intervention.
Research Questions:
Inclusion Criteria:
18-59 years old have an active email account have at least one palpable active trigger point (TrP) (located in one or both upper trapezius) English speaking
Exclusion Criteria:
current or previous history of cancer active infection neurologic deficit cognitive deficit pregnancy connective tissue disease and/or autoimmune disorder smoke tobacco received previous DN treatments within 6 weeks of the study, experienced unilateral or bilateral neck/shoulder pain continuously for 3 months or longer