Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS