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. 2020 Dec;19(4):222-229.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2020.02.005. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Combining Patient Education With Dry Needling and Ischemic Compression for Treating Myofascial Trigger Points in Office Workers With Neck Pain: A Single-Blinded, Randomized Trial

Khadijeh Otadi  1 , Hadi Sarafraz  2 , Shohreh Jalaie  1 , Omid Rasouli  3
Affiliations

Combining Patient Education With Dry Needling and Ischemic Compression for Treating Myofascial Trigger Points in Office Workers With Neck Pain: A Single-Blinded, Randomized Trial

Khadijeh Otadi et al. J Chiropr Med. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare immediate and short-term effects of combining dray needling (DN) + patient education vs ischemic compression (IC) + patient education for treating myofascial trigger points (MTP) in office workers with neck pain.

Methods: This was a single-blinded, randomized trial. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either DN + patient education or IC + patient education group. Both groups received 2 treatment sessions with a 48-hour time interval. Pain intensity, cervical range of motion, Neck Disability Index, and satisfaction were measured.

Results: Pain intensity and neck disability level decreased, whereas the cervical range of motion (side-bending and rotation) increased in both groups. Analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction of group × treatment only for pain intensity, indicating a greater reduction in the IC group. Satisfaction generally increased in the follow-up assessment in both groups.

Conclusion: Both intervention groups had some positive immediate and short-term effects after 2 treatment sessions. However, IC + patient education was more effective than DN + patient education in the treatment of MTPs in office workers with neck pain.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Neck Muscles; Needles; Trigger Points.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
The flow of the participants throughout the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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