Comparison of radial shockwave and dry needling therapies in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome

Abstract

Background/Aims Myofascial pain syndrome is a frequent problem in the musculoskeletal system. As a method of treatment for myofascial pain syndrome, dry needling therapy is an effective and convenient treatment for patients because they do not need to be treated every day. However, as patients often have post-needle soreness or some patients are afraid of needles, there are limitations to this treatment. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy with dry needling therapy to treat myofascial pain. Methods A total of 42 patients attending the rehabilitation department with at least one myofascial pain trigger point in their upper back muscles, were randomly assigned to receive radial shockwave therapy or dry needling therapy. Treatment was performed once a week for 3 weeks in both groups. Participants' pain pressure threshold, measured using an algometer, and pain levels, measured using a numeric pain scale, were assessed before the designated treatment was applied each week. Each patient also performed upper trapezius, rhomboid and infraspinatus muscle stretches twice a day throughout the study period. Results There was no difference in pain pressure threshold at the three trigger points before treatment with the different modalities commenced. At the end of the study, the radial shockwave therapy group had a significant improvement in trapezius pain pressure threshold, increasing from 11.7 at baseline to 14.8 at the end of study. There was no significant between-group difference in pain level (P=3.4 vs P=2.6) at the end of the study. Both treatments significantly reduced pain levels: from 7.2 to 3.4 in the radial shockwave group (P<0.001) and from 6.8 to 2.6 in the dry needling therapy group (P<0.001). Conclusions Dry needling and radial shock wave therapies are effective in reducing myofascial pain syndrome originating in the upper back muscles. Participants' pain pressure threshold increased after 3 weeks of treatment with both therapies. Radial shock therapy can be used as an alternative to dry needling in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome in patients who have trouble attending daily physical therapy or in whom dry needling therapy is contraindicated.