Dry Needling for Treating Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

Dry Needling for Treating Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of dry needling (DN) in the treatment of spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). [Participants and Methods] participants with MS, with no evidence of a relapse in the last four weeks and with an EDSS (Expanded Disability Sta- tus Scale) greater than 2.5 points (related with pyramidal score) were recruited. DN was performed in lower limbs for 12 consecutive sessions and evaluated with: EDSS (Pyramidal item), Time up and go (TUG), 25 foot, 9hold peg test (9HPT) and the improvement or not in the quality of life (MSQol54) was verified before and after treatment. A follow up visit was carried out to assess improvement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• Being over 18 years of age and less than or equal to 60 years of age.
• Having a score equal to or greater than 2 in the EDSS.
• They need to have a measurement in the following functional systems: P (pyramidal) >2, CT (brainstem), gait >2 and sphincter >2.
• They need to present hypertonia or contractures of the muscles selected for the dry needling, the pain expressed by the patients must be a consequence of spastic processes, have hourly availability to receive therapies and not have needle phobias.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a disease associated with multiple sclerosis that is incompatible with dry needling.
• Being in relapse, or having suffered it in the thirty days prior to starting the treatment. program or taking medications that are contraindicated with the technique applied in the study, (oral anticoagulants.)