Superficial Dry Needling and Active Stretching in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain – a Randomised Controlled Trial

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 80-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Edwards ◽  
Nicola Knowles
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Mcgill Pain Questionnaire ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Availability Assessment ◽  
Stretching Exercises

A pragmatic, single blind, randomised, controlled trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that superficial dry needling (SDN) together with active stretching is more effective than stretching alone, or no treatment, in deactivating trigger points (TrPs) and reducing myofascial pain. Forty patients with musculoskeletal pain, referred by GPs for physiotherapy, fulfilled inclusion / exclusion criteria for active TrPs. Subjects were randomised into three groups: group 1 (n=14) received superficial dry needling (SDN) and active stretching exercises (G1); group 2 (n=13) received stretching exercises alone (G2); and group 3 (n=13) were no treatment controls (G3). During the three-week intervention period for G1 and G2, the number of treatments varied according to the severity of the condition and subject/clinician availability. Assessment was carried out pre-intervention (M1), post-intervention (M2), and at a three-week follow up (M3). Outcome measures were the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ) and Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the primary TrP, using a Fischer algometer. Ninety-one per cent of assessments were blind to grouping. At M2 there were no significant inter-group differences, but at M3, G1 demonstrated significantly improved SFMPQ versus G3 (p=0.043) and significantly improved PPT versus G2 (p=0.011). There were no differences between G2 and G3. The mean PPT and SFMPQ scores correlated significantly in G1 only, though no significant inter-group differences were demonstrated. Numbers of patients requiring further treatment following the trial were: 6 (G1); 12 (G2); 9 (G3). Conclusion: SDN followed by active stretching is more effective than stretching alone in deactivating TrPs (reducing their sensitivity to pressure), and more effective than no treatment in reducing subjective pain. Stretching without prior deactivation may increase TrP sensitivity.

scholarly journals Digital cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia compared with digital patient education about insomnia in individuals referred to secondary mental health services in Norway: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e050661
Author(s):  
Håvard Kallestad ◽  
Simen Saksvik ◽  
Øystein Vedaa ◽  
Knut Langsrud ◽  
Gunnar Morken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Patient Education ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionInsomnia is highly prevalent in outpatients receiving treatment for mental disorders. Cognitive–behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a recommended first-line intervention. However, access is limited and most patients with insomnia who are receiving mental healthcare services are treated using medication. This multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) examines additional benefits of a digital adaptation of CBT-I (dCBT-I), compared with an online control intervention of patient education about insomnia (PE), in individuals referred to secondary mental health clinics.Methods and analysisA parallel group, superiority RCT with a target sample of 800 participants recruited from treatment waiting lists at Norwegian psychiatric services. Individuals awaiting treatment will receive an invitation to the RCT, with potential participants undertaking online screening and consent procedures. Eligible outpatients will be randomised to dCBT-I or PE in a 1:1 ratio. Assessments will be performed at baseline, 9 weeks after completion of baseline assessments (post-intervention assessment), 33 weeks after baseline (6 months after the post-intervention assessment) and 61 weeks after baseline (12 months after the post-intervention assessment). The primary outcome is between-group difference in insomnia severity 9 weeks after baseline. Secondary outcomes include between-group differences in levels of psychopathology, and measures of health and functioning 9 weeks after baseline. Additionally, we will test between-group differences at 6-month and 12-month follow-up, and examine any negative effects of the intervention, any changes in mental health resource use, and/or in functioning and prescription of medications across the duration of the study. Other exploratory analyses are planned.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics in Norway (Ref: 125068). Findings from the RCT will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and advocacy and stakeholder groups. Exploratory analyses, including potential mediators and moderators, will be reported separately from main outcomes.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04621643); Pre-results.

Improving perinatal sleep via a scalable cognitive behavioural intervention: findings from a randomised controlled trial from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Bei Bei ◽  
Donna M. Pinnington ◽  
Nina Quin ◽  
Lin Shen ◽  
Michelle Blumfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Sleep Disturbance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Pregnancy And Postpartum ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

Abstract Background Sleep disturbance is common in gestational parents during pregnancy and postpartum periods. This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a scalable cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sleep intervention tailored for these periods. Methods This is a two-arm, parallel-group, single-blind, superiority randomised controlled trial. Nulliparous females without severe medical/psychiatric conditions were randomised 1:1 to CBT or attention- and time-matched control. All participants received a 1 h telephone session and automated multimedia emails from the third trimester until 6 months postpartum. Outcomes were assessed with validated instruments at gestation weeks 30 (baseline) and 35 (pregnancy endpoint), and postpartum months 1.5, 3, 6 (postpartum endpoint), 12 and 24. Results In total, 163 eligible participants (age M ± s.d. = 33.35 ± 3.42) were randomised. The CBT intervention was well accepted, with no reported adverse effect. Intention-to-treat analyses showed that compared to control, receiving CBT was associated with lower insomnia severity and sleep disturbance (two primary outcomes), and lower sleep-related impairment at the pregnancy endpoint (p values ⩽ 0.001), as well as at 24 months postpartum (p ranges 0.012–0.052). Group differences across the first postpartum year were non-significant. Participants with elevated insomnia symptoms at baseline benefitted substantially more from CBT (v. control), including having significantly lower insomnia symptoms throughout the first postpartum year. Group differences in symptoms of depression or anxiety were non-significant. Conclusions A scalable CBT sleep intervention is efficacious in buffering against sleep disturbance during pregnancy and benefitted sleep at 2-year postpartum, especially for individuals with insomnia symptoms during pregnancy. The intervention holds promise for implementation into routine perinatal care.

Acupuncture for pain, mandibular function and oral health‐related quality of life in patients with masticatory myofascial pain: A randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 1193-1201
Author(s):  
Franklin Teixeira Salles‐Neto ◽  
Janice Simpson Paula ◽  
João Gabriel de Azevedo José Romero ◽  
Camila Megale Almeida‐Leite
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Comparative study of treatment interventions for patellar tendinopathy: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e034304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pilar López-Royo ◽  
Eva Maria Gómez-Trullén ◽  
Maria Ortiz-Lucas ◽  
Rita Maria Galán-Díaz ◽  
Ana Vanessa Bataller-Cervero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Eccentric Exercise ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Patellar Tendinopathy ◽  
Ultrasound Images ◽  
Perceived Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionPatellar tendinopathy is a degenerative disease of the patellar tendon, which affects athletes from a variety of sports, and is especially predominant in sports involving high-impact jumping. The aim of this study is to determine the additional effect of two interventions combined with eccentric exercise and compare which one is the most effective at short-term and long-term follow-up for patients with patellar tendinopathy.Methods and analysisThis study is a randomised controlled trial with blinded participants. Measurements will be carried out by a specially trained blinded assessor. A sample of 57 patients with a medical diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy will participate in this study and will be divided into three treatment groups. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to receive either: (a) treatment group with percutaneous needle electrolysis, (b) treatment group with dry needling or (c) treatment group with placebo needling. In addition, all groups will perform eccentric exercise. Functionality and muscle strength parameters, pain, ultrasound appearances and patient perceived quality of life shall be evaluated using the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment for patellar (VISA-P), jump tests, Visual Analogue Scale, ultrasound images and Short Form-36 (SF-36), respectively. Participants will be assessed at baseline, at 10 weeks and at 22 weeks after baseline. The expected findings will allow us to advance in the treatment of this injury, as they will help determine whether a needling intervention has additional effects on an eccentric exercise programme and whether any of the needling modalities is more effective than the other.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Aragon (N° PI15/0017). The trial will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.Trial registration numberNCT02498795

scholarly journals Assessment of dialysis initiation by a fuzzy mathematics equation (ADIFE): a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e023162
Author(s):  
Jilin Chen ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Xiangmei Chen ◽  
Xuefeng Sun ◽  
Wei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Dialysis Initiation ◽  
Fuzzy Mathematics ◽  
Late Start ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionStarting dialysis early or late both result in a low quality of life and a poor prognosis in patients undergoing haemodialysis. However, there remains no consensus on the optimal timing of dialysis initiation, mainly because of a lack of suitable methods to assess variations in dialysis initiation time. We have established a novel equation named DIFE (Dialysis Initiation based on Fuzzy-mathematics Equation) through a retrospective, multicentre clinical cohort study in China to determine the most suitable timing of dialysis initiation. The predictors of the DIFE include nine biochemical markers and clinical variables that together influence dialysis initiation. To externally validate the clinical accuracy of DIFE, we designed the assessment of DIFE (ADIFE) study as a prospective, open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical outcomes among patients who initiate dialysis in an optimal start dialysis group and a late-start dialysis group, based on DIFE.Methods and analysisA total of 388 enrolled patients with end-stage renal disease will be randomised 1:1 to the optimal start dialysis group, with a DIFE value between 30 and 35, or the late-start dialysis group, with a DIFE value less than 30, using the Randomization and Trial Supply Management system. Participants will be assessed for changes in signs and symptoms, dialysis mode and parameters, biochemical and inflammatory markers, Subjective Global Assessment, Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form, Cognitive Assessment, medical costs, adverse events and concomitant medication at baseline, predialysis visiting stage and postdialysis visiting stage, every 12–24 weeks. The following data will be recorded on standardised online electronic case report forms. The primary endpoint is 3-year all-cause mortality. The secondary endpoints include non-fatal cerebrocardiovascular events, annual hospitalisation rate, quality of life, medical costs and haemodialysis related complications.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University China (registration no: YJ-KY-2017–119) and the ethics committees of all participating centres. The final results of the ADIFE trial will be presented to the study sponsor, clinical researchers and the patient and public involvement reference group. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, Clinical Practice Guidelines and at scientific meetings.Trial registration numberClinicalTrial.gov. Registry (NCT03385902); pre-results.

scholarly journals Does tension applied in kinesio taping affect pain or function in older women with knee osteoarthritis? A randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041121
Author(s):  
Yago Tavares Pinheiro ◽  
Germanna Medeiros Barbosa ◽  
Hilmaynne Renaly Fonseca Fialho ◽  
César Augusto Medeiros Silva ◽  
Jaciara de Oliveira Anunciação ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Randomised Controlled

ObjectiveTo analyse the short-term effects of kinesio taping (KT) with tension (KTT) or without tension (KTNT) in older women with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and compare them to controls who did not receive KT.DesignRandomised controlled trial.SettingUniversity physiotherapy school clinic.ParticipantsForty-five older women (fifteen participants per group) with 66.8 (±5.6) years and clinical diagnosis of KOA were assessed pre, post and 3 days after intervention.InterventionsParticipants were randomly allocated to KTT, who received two simultaneous applications of KT with tension on the knee and rectus femoris; KTNT, who received the same application as the KTT group, but without tension and a control group that attended a class on KOA.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome was pain intensity and secondary outcomes were knee-related health status, functional capacity, muscle strength and global rating of change.ResultsNo between-group differences were observed in pain after the first intervention (KTT vs KTNT: mean difference (MD), −1.8 points; 95% CI −4.2 to 0.5; KTT vs control: MD, −1.2 points; 95% CI −3.6 to 1.2; KTNT vs control: MD, 0.66 points; 95% CI −1.7 to 3.0) or 3 days later (KTT vs KTNT: MD, −1.3 points; 95% CI −3.7 to 1.0; KTT vs control: MD, 0.13 points; 95% CI −2.2 to 2.5; KTNT vs control: MD, 1.4 points; 95% CI −0.9 to 3.8). The lack of between-group differences was also found for secondary outcomes.ConclusionThe short-term use of KT with or without tension in older woman with KOA had no beneficial effects on pain and function. These findings call into question the clinical use of KT as a non-pharmacological therapy for this population.Trial registration numberNCT03624075.

Trigger Point Dry Needling versus Strain–counterstrain Technique for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Segura-Ortí ◽  
S Prades-Vergara ◽  
L Manzaneda-Piña ◽  
R Valero-Martínez ◽  
JA Polo-Traverso
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Trigger Points ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points ◽  
Upper Trapezius ◽  
Pain Pressure Threshold ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Background Treatment of active myofascial trigger points includes both invasive and non-invasive techniques. Objectives To compare the effects of upper trapezius trigger point dry needling (DN) and strain–counterstrain (SCS) techniques versus sham SCS. Study Design Randomised controlled trial. Method 34 study subjects with active trigger points were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups, and received either three sessions of DN (n=12), six sessions of SCS (n=10), or sham SCS (n=12) over a 3-week period. Subjective pain response and subjects’ own ratings of perceived disability were measured. Results The analysis of variance mixed model showed a significant time effect for pain (p<0.001), elicited pain (p<0.001), pain pressure threshold (p<0.01), and neck disability index (p=0.016). Pain at rest decreased in all groups, as follows: DN 18.5 mm (95% CI 4.3 to 32.7 mm); SCS 28.3 mm (95% CI 12.4 to 44.1 mm); sham SCS 21.9 mm (95% CI 3.5 to 40.1 mm). Reductions in disability score (points) were significant in the SCS group (5.5, 95% CI 1.6 to 9.4) but not in the DN (1.4, 95% CI −4.9 to 2.1) or sham SCS (1.8, 95% CI −6.4 to 2.7) groups. There was no significant group×time interaction effect for any variables studied. Conclusions There were no differences between the sham SCS, SCS, and DN groups in any of the outcome measures. DN relieved pain after fewer sessions than SCS and sham SCS, and thus may be a more efficient technique. Future studies should include a larger sample size. Trial Registration Number NCT01290653.

Management of Shoulder Injuries Using Dry Needling in Elite Volleyball Players

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichola J Osborne ◽  
Ian T Gatt
Keyword(s):  
Myofascial Pain ◽  
Trigger Point ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Mcgill Pain Questionnaire ◽  
Shoulder Injuries ◽  
Dry Needling ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Range Of Movement ◽  
Myofascial Trigger Points

These case reports describe the short-term benefits of dry needling in shoulder injuries in four international female volleyball athletes during a month-long intense competitive phase, using both replicable subjective and objective measures. Dry needling of scapulohumeral muscles was carried out. Range of movement, strength and pain were assessed before and after treatment, with a functional assessment of pain immediately after playing and overhead activity, using the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire. All scores were improved post-treatment and athletes were able to continue overhead activities. Previous studies have suggested that myofascial trigger points may cause significant functional weakness and reduced range of motion, with referred pain. Trigger point dry needling has been successful in treating athletes with myofascial pain and impingement symptoms but with only subjective improvement and not during a competitive phase. These cases support the use of dry needling in elite athletes during a competitive phase with short-term pain relief and improved function in shoulder injuries. It may help maintain rotator cuff balance and strength, reducing further pain and injury.

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