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Comparison of the effectiveness of dry needling and high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized single-blind controlled study

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Abstract

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a very common disease in the population that seriously affects quality of life. Although many treatment modalities are used, there is still no common protocol. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and dry needling options. This prospective study included 108 patients with neck and/or upper back pain, diagnosed with MPS, who were randomly separated into 3 groups: the exercise group, the exercise + HILT group (HILT group), and the exercise + dry needling group (needling group). The visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), short form-36 (SF-36) scores, and neck range of motion (ROM) values of the patients before and after treatment were recorded and compared between the groups. In all 3 groups, the VAS and NDI scores decreased and ROM levels increased after treatment. The results in the HILT and needling groups were statistically significantly better than those of the exercise group (p < 0.05).The addition of HILT and dry needling to exercises is seen as a more successful treatment option to reduce pain in MPS. Clinical trial registration number: NCT05078333.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Kocaeli Health and Technology University, Private Medar Hospital, Yeniköy Mahallesi Ilıca Caddesi No:29, Başiskele, Kocaeli, Turkey

    Emine Dundar Ahi

  2. Private Romatem Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Fulya, Hakkı Yeten Cd. No:9 Kat:1, 34365, Şişli, Istanbul, Turkey

    Hulya Sirzai

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  1. Emine Dundar Ahi
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Contributions

EDA contributed to the study design, data collection, interpretation of the data, and writing and revising the manuscript and accepted responsibility for the corresponding author.

HS contributed to the data collection, data interpretation, and revising and editing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emine Dundar Ahi.

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Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committe of the Istinye University Clinical Trials Ethics Committee.

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All patients provided informed consent to participate in this study.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patients.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ahi, E.D., Sirzai, H. Comparison of the effectiveness of dry needling and high-intensity laser therapy in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized single-blind controlled study. Lasers Med Sci 38, 3 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-022-03687-w

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