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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Jul;95(7):483-94.
doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000401.

Impact of Needle Diameter on Long-Term Dry Needling Treatment of Chronic Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Gang Wang  1 , Qian Gao, Jun Li, Yuling Tian, Jingshan Hou
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Impact of Needle Diameter on Long-Term Dry Needling Treatment of Chronic Lumbar Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Gang Wang et al. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of diameter of needles on the effect of dry needling treatment of chronic lumbar myofascial pain syndrome.

Design: Forty-eight patients with chronic lumbar myofascial pain syndrome were randomly allocated to 3 groups. They received dry needling with needles of diameter 0.25 (group A), 0.5 (group B), and 0.9 mm (group C). Visual analog scale evaluation and health survey were conducted at baseline and 3 months after the treatment.

Results: Visual analog scale scores were significantly different in all groups from baseline to 3 months. Visual analog scale scores at 3 months showed differences between group C and the other 2 groups. When baseline and 3 months after treatment (0 day and 3 months) in each of the 3 groups was compared, there was a difference between group C and group B. The Short Form (36) Health Survey scores from baseline to 3 months were different within the treatment groups.

Conclusions: Visual analog scale score evaluations at 3 months showed efficacy in all groups. Results of 3 months showed that efficacy of treatment with larger needles (0.9-mm diameter) was better than that of smaller ones (0.5-mm diameter). The Short Form (36) Health Survey scores at 3 months indicated that treatments with needles of varying diameters were all effective, and when the results of 3 months were compared, there was no difference between the 3 groups.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Patients’ disposition. N, number.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Dry needles of 3 different diameters.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Dry needle (0.9 mm in diameter) treatment of lumbar myofascial pain.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Visual analog scale score evaluation before and after treatment for patients in 3 groups.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Short Form-36 Health Survey score evaluation before and after treatment for patients in 3 groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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