Treating myofascial pain with dry needling: a systematic review for the best evidence-based practices in low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of pain in primary care or pain clinics. There are many different ways to manage and treat MPS, such as physical exercise, trigger points massage, and dry needling. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this overview is to highlight and discuss the evidence-based treatment of myofascial pain by dry needling in patients with low back pain. METHODS: A systematic review was made based on meta-analysis (MA) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to dry needling treatment for myofascial pain in patients with lumbar pain, published from 2000 to 2023. RESULTS: A total of 509 records were identified at first. Seventy were published before 2000, so they were excluded. From the remaining 439 studies, ninety-two were RCTs or MA, of which 86 additional studies were excluded for the following reasons: not related to dry needling treatment (n = 79), not published in English (n = 4), duplicated (n = 1), project protocol (n = 1), and not related to myofascial pain (n = 1). So, this review was based on 4 RCTs and two MA. These studies compared dry needling efficacy to other treatments, such as acupuncture, sham dry needling, laser therapy, physical therapy, local anesthetic injection, ischemic compression, and neuroscience education. Despite outcomes and follow-up period varied between them, they showed that dry needling can decrease post-intervention pain intensity and pain disability. CONCLUSION: Dry needling is an effective procedure for the treatment of myofascial pain in patients with acute and chronic low back pain. Further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the long-term outcomes.

ANTECEDENTES: A síndrome dolorosa miofascial (SDM) é uma fonte comum de dor em centros primários de atenção à saúde ou nas clínicas de dor. Existem muitas formas diferentes de manejar e tratar a SDM, como o exercício físico, a massagem dos pontos de gatilho e o agulhamento a seco. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta revisão é destacar e discutir o tratamento baseado em evidências da dor miofascial por agulhamento a seco em doentes com dor lombar. MéTODOS: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática baseada em metanálises (MA) e ensaios clínicos randomizados (RCTs) relacionados ao tratamento da dor miofascial com agulhamento a seco em pacientes com dor lombar, publicados de 2000 a 2023. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados, inicialmente, um total de 509 registos. Setenta deles, publicados antes de 2000, foram excluídos. Dos 439 estudos restantes, 92 eram RCTs ou MA, dos quais 86 foram excluídos pelas seguintes razões: não relacionados a tratamento com agulhamento a seco (n = 79), não publicados em inglês (n = 4), duplicados (n = 1), protocolo de projeto (n = 1) e não relacionados com dor miofascial (n = 1). Assim, esta revisão baseou-se em quatro RCTs e duas MA. Esses estudos compararam a eficácia do agulhamento seco com outros tratamentos, tais como acupuntura, agulhamento a seco "sham", terapia com laser, fisioterapia, injeção de anestésico local, compressão isquêmica e educação em neurociências. Apesar de os resultados e o período de seguimento variarem entre os estudos, os estudos demonstram que o agulhamento a seco pode diminuir a intensidade da dor pós-intervenção e a incapacidade relacionada à dor. CONCLUSãO: O agulhamento a seco é um procedimento eficaz para o tratamento da dor miofascial em pacientes com dor lombar aguda e crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para esclarecer sua eficácia a longo prazo.

Treating myofascial pain with dry needling: a systematic review for the best evidence-based practices in low back pain / Tratamento da dor miofascial com agulhamento a seco: uma revisão sistemática para as melhores práticas baseadas em evidências em lombalgia

Abstract Background Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common source of pain in primary care or pain clinics. There are many different ways to manage and treat MPS, such as physical exercise, trigger points massage, and dry needling. Objective The objective of this overview is to highlight and discuss the evidence-based treatment of myofascial pain by dry needling in patients with low back pain. Methods A systematic review was made based on meta-analysis (MA) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to dry needling treatment for myofascial pain in patients with lumbar pain, published from 2000 to 2023. Results A total of 509 records were identified at first. Seventy were published before 2000, so they were excluded. From the remaining 439 studies, ninety-two were RCTs or MA, of which 86 additional studies were excluded for the following reasons: not related to dry needling treatment (n = 79), not published in English (n = 4), duplicated (n = 1), project protocol (n = 1), and not related to myofascial pain (n = 1). So, this review was based on 4 RCTs and two MA. These studies compared dry needling efficacy to other treatments, such as acupuncture, sham dry needling, laser therapy, physical therapy, local anesthetic injection, ischemic compression, and neuroscience education. Despite outcomes and follow-up period varied between them, they showed that dry needling can decrease post-intervention pain intensity and pain disability. Conclusion Dry needling is an effective procedure for the treatment of myofascial pain in patients with acute and chronic low back pain. Further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the long-term outcomes.

Resumo Antecedentes A síndrome dolorosa miofascial (SDM) é uma fonte comum de dor em centros primários de atenção à saúde ou nas clínicas de dor. Existem muitas formas diferentes de manejar e tratar a SDM, como o exercício físico, a massagem dos pontos de gatilho e o agulhamento a seco. Objetivo O objetivo desta revisão é destacar e discutir o tratamento baseado em evidências da dor miofascial por agulhamento a seco em doentes com dor lombar. Métodos Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática baseada em metanálises (MA) e ensaios clínicos randomizados (RCTs) relacionados ao tratamento da dor miofascial com agulhamento a seco em pacientes com dor lombar, publicados de 2000 a 2023. Resultados Foram identificados, inicialmente, um total de 509 registos. Setenta deles, publicados antes de 2000, foram excluídos. Dos 439 estudos restantes, 92 eram RCTs ou MA, dos quais 86 foram excluídos pelas seguintes razões: não relacionados a tratamento com agulhamento a seco (n = 79), não publicados em inglês (n = 4), duplicados (n = 1), protocolo de projeto (n = 1) e não relacionados com dor miofascial (n = 1). Assim, esta revisão baseou-se em quatro RCTs e duas MA. Esses estudos compararam a eficácia do agulhamento seco com outros tratamentos, tais como acupuntura, agulhamento a seco "sham", terapia com laser, fisioterapia, injeção de anestésico local, compressão isquêmica e educação em neurociências. Apesar de os resultados e o período de seguimento variarem entre os estudos, os estudos demonstram que o agulhamento a seco pode diminuir a intensidade da dor pós-intervenção e a incapacidade relacionada à dor. Conclusão O agulhamento a seco é um procedimento eficaz para o tratamento da dor miofascial em pacientes com dor lombar aguda e crônica. Mais estudos são necessários para esclarecer sua eficácia a longo prazo.

Effects of combining manual therapy, neck muscle exercises, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education in patients with migraine: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological approaches for the management of migraine exhibit low to moderate effectiveness due to a lack of high-quality randomized clinical trials. In fact, previous studies applied isolated techniques, which were not representative of common clinical practice. A multimodal approach for migraine may benefit these patients more than isolated approaches. This randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effectiveness of a multimodal protocol combining manual therapy, exercise, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education versus the application of manual therapy or pain neuroscience education alone in patients with migraine. METHODS: This clinical trial will include 75 individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 55 years, with migraine. Participants will be randomized into three groups: the therapeutic pain neuroscience education (TPNE; n = 25) group, the manual therapy (MT; n = 25) group, and the multimodal (MM; n = 25) group. The TPNE group will receive one orientation session on migraine and pain self-management, and recommendations for daily active stretching and walking, with subsequent therapist monitoring. The MT group will receive manual therapies targeting musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine. The MM group will receive manual therapies targeting musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine, active neck exercises, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education. The treatment period will last 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the headache impact, measured using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Secondary outcomes will include migraine frequency and intensity, cervical mobility and strength parameters, neck pain-related disability, kinesiophobia, cutaneous allodynia, pain-related catastrophizing, quality of life, and self-perception of change. All outcomes will be evaluated at the fourth, eighth, and twelfth weeks of the treatment period. Primary and secondary clinical outcomes, such as headache impact, frequency, and intensity, will also be evaluated at the 1-, 2-, and 4-month follow-ups. DISCUSSION: The results of this randomized clinical trial may provide high-quality clinical evidence of the effects of non-pharmacological treatment options for the management of migraine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered under the access code RBR-7s22c75 in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) in December 2020.

Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of the Flexion Rotation Test and Cervical Range of Motion in People With Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability, standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable change (SDC) of the flexion rotation test (FRT) and cervical range of motion (CROM) assessed with the CROM device in individuals with and without migraine. METHODS: Twenty-five women with migraine (mean age, 35 years; standard deviation, 10 years) and 25 comparable headache-free women (mean age, 32 years; standard deviation, 11 years) participated in this study. C1/C2 mobility was assessed with the FRT, whereas global cervical range of motion was calculated using a CROM device. To assess the interrater reliability, tests were conducted on the same day at 20-minute intervals, by 2 independent assessors, and they were repeated after a 1-week interval by the same assessor to evaluate the intrarater reliability. The mean value of 3 repetitions was used to calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient ICC(2,k), SEM, and SDC. RESULTS: The intrarater reliability was excellent (ICC > 0.83), and interrater reliability ranged from substantial to excellent (ICC > 0.77) for the FRT. The SEM ranged from 2.44° to 2.85°, and the SDC from 6.78° to 7.9°. Intrarater and interrater reliability for cervical range of motion was substantial to excellent (ICC > 0.65), with the SEM ranging from 2.03° to 5.46° and the SDC from 5.6° to 15.14°. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that FRT and global cervical range of motion with a CROM device show high reliability in individuals with migraine. In addition, the SEM and SDC were relatively small. Both assessments can be used for clinical evaluation of the cervical spine in individuals with migraine.

Relationship Between Headaches and Neck Pain Characteristics With Neck Muscle Strength.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlations between neck muscle strength and pain features, such as neck-related disability, neck pain frequency and intensity, and headache frequency in women with headache. METHODS: Seventy women with migraine between 18 and 55 years of age diagnosed according to International Headache Society criteria were assessed. Participants provided clinical information regarding neck pain and headache. The Neck Disability Index was used to assess neck-related disability, and neck muscle strength was assessed via maximum voluntary contraction during flexion, extension, and lateral flexion with a handheld dynamometer. The correlation was verified with Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ). Multiple linear regression was performed to verify whether the clinical variables could predict the strength of neck muscles. All calculations were performed adopting a level of significance of 0.05. RESULTS: Neck extensor strength was negatively correlated with all clinical variables (ρrange = -.24 to -.32, p < .05); lateral flexor strength was negatively correlated with headache frequency, neck pain intensity, and neck-related disability (ρrange = -.27 to -.39, p < .05); and flexor strength also correlated negatively with neck pain intensity and related disability (ρr = -.26 to -.29, p < .05). Headache frequency and neck pain intensity were identified as significant predictors of the strength variability in extension (R2 = 0.16, p < .05) and in lateral flexion (R2 = 0.18, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: For the women with migraine in this study, correlations of headache and neck pain with neck muscle strength features were weakly to moderately negative. Headache frequency and neck pain intensity may influence a small proportion of the strength variability in extension and lateral flexion.

Association Between Severity of Temporomandibular Disorders and the Frequency of Headache Attacks in Women With Migraine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the magnitude of association of the severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in women with episodic and chronic migraine. METHODS: Thirty-one women with episodic migraine (mean age: 33 years), 21 with chronic migraine (mean age: 35 years) and 32 healthy controls (mean age: 31 years) were included. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied to assess severity of TMDs. TMD severity was considered as follows: no TMD (0-19 points), mild TMD (20-49 points), moderate TMD (50-69 points), and severe TMD (70-100 points). To compare the proportion of TMD severity among groups, a χ2 test was performed. Prevalence ratio (PR) was calculated to determine the association of TMD severity and both migraine groups using the control group as the reference. RESULTS: Women with chronic and episodic migraine were more likely to exhibit TMD signs and symptoms of any severity than healthy controls (χ2 = 30.26; P < .001). TMD prevalence was 54% for healthy controls, 78% for episodic migraine, and 100% for chronic migraine. Women with chronic migraine exhibited greater risk of more severe manifestations of TMD than healthy controls (PR: 3.31; P = .008). This association was not identified for episodic migraine (PR: 2.18; P = .101). CONCLUSION: The presence of TMD signs and symptoms was associated with migraine independently of the frequency; however, the magnitude of the association of more severe TMD was significantly greater in chronic, but not episodic, migraine.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Profile Fitness Mapping Neck Questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese: Internal Consistency, Reliability, and Construct and Structural Validity.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the ProFitMap-neck to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation consisted of 5 stages, and 180 female patients with chronic neck pain participated in the study. A subsample (n = 30) answered the pretest, and another subsample (n = 100) answered the questionnaire a second time. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity (hypothesis testing and structural validity) were estimated. For construct validity, the scores of the questionnaire were correlated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Internal consistency was determined by adequate Cronbach's α values (α > 0.70). Strong reliability was identified by high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC > 0.75). Construct validity was identified by moderate and strong correlations of the Br-ProFitMap-neck with total NDI score (-0.56 50%, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index > 0.50, eigenvalue > 1, and factor loadings > 0.2. CONCLUSION: Br-ProFitMap-neck had adequate psychometric properties and can be used in clinical settings, as well as research, in patients with chronic neck pain.

Additional Effects of a Physical Therapy Protocol on Headache Frequency, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Improvement Perception in Patients With Migraine and Associated Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the additional effect provided by physical therapy in migraine treatment. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary university-based hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Among the 300 patients approached, 50 women (age range, 18-55y) diagnosed with migraine were randomized into 2 groups: a control group (n=25) and a physiotherapy plus medication group (n=25) (N=50). INTERVENTIONS: Both groups received medication for migraine treatment. Additionally, physiotherapy plus medication patients received 8 sessions of physical therapy over 4 weeks, comprised mainly of manual therapy and stretching maneuvers lasting 50 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A blinded examiner assessed the clinical outcomes of headache frequency, intensity, and self-perception of global change and physical outcomes of pressure pain threshold and cervical range of motion. Data were recorded at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients experienced side effects from the medication. Both groups reported a significantly reduced frequency of headaches; however, no differences were observed between groups (physiotherapy plus medication patients showed an additional 18% improvement at posttreatment and 12% improvement at follow-up compared with control patients, P>.05). The reduction observed in the physiotherapy plus medication patients was clinically relevant at posttreatment, whereas clinical relevance for control patients was demonstrated only at follow-up. For pain intensity, physiotherapy plus medication patients showed statistical evidence and clinical relevance with reduction posttreatment (P<.05). In addition, they showed better self-perception of global change than control patients (P<.05). The cervical muscle pressure pain threshold increased significantly in the physiotherapy plus medication patients and decreased in the control patients, but statistical differences between groups were observed only in the temporal area (P<.05). No differences were observed between groups regarding cervical range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: We cannot assume that physical therapy promotes additional improvement in migraine treatment; however, it can increase the cervical pressure pain threshold, anticipate clinically relevant changes, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Is pressure pain sensitivity over the cervical musculature associated with neck disability in individuals with migraine?

The objective was to determine if disability due to neck pain is correlated with pressure pain sensitivity in the cervical muscles in patients with migraine. Thirty-two volunteers with migraine completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius and suboccipital muscles were also assessed. Data were analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient (rs) and linear regression models (α < 0.05). Moderate negative correlations between NDI and PPT were obtained for the sternocleidomastoid (rs = -0.42; p = 0.001), upper trapezius (rs = -0.33; p = 0.001) and suboccipital muscles (rs = -0.41; p = 0.001). The linear regression revealed no association between NDI and PPT of sternocleidomastoid (ß = 0.01; R(2) = 0.17), upper trapezius (ß = 0.01; R(2) = 0.11) and suboccipital muscles (ß = 0.02; R(2) = 0.17). NDI scores and PPT of the cervical muscles correlated moderately and was inversely proportional in patients with migraine, but the association was not linear, so both outcomes should be considered in the assessment of this population.

Comparison between neck pain disability and cervical range of motion in patients with episodic and chronic migraine: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate neck pain-related disability and cervical range of motion (CROM) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and to examine the correlation of both outcomes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study consisted of 91 patients with EM and 34 with CM. Cervical range of motion was measured with the CROM device, and pain during the cervical movement was recorded. Self-reported disability related to neck pain was assessed with the Neck Disability Index. RESULTS: Patients with CM showed higher Neck Disability Index scores and more moderate and severe disability (P = .01). Severe disability as a result of neck pain was associated with 7.6-fold risk of developing CM (P = .003). No significant differences in CROM were identified between groups. Moderate negative correlations between CROM and disability were found for 4 motions within the CM group (-0.60

O efeito do laser de baixa intensidade no tratamento das cefaleias cervicogênicas: apresentação de sete casos / Low-intensity laser to treat cervicogenic headaches: presentation of seven cases.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A cefaleia cervicogênica é caracterizada por dor nucal e/ou fronto-temporal desencadeada por distúrbio na região do pescoço, C1, C2 ou C3. A dor é unilateral, iniciada na região da nuca e referida na região fronto-temporal sendo episódica ou crônica. O bloqueio do nervo occipital maior ou menor é feito com duas finalidades: terapêutica e diagnóstica. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito do laser de baixa intensidade (GaAlAs) aplicado na região do nervo occipital maior e menor e/ou da raiz C2 do lado sintomático no tratamento das cefaleias cervicogênicas, substituindo o bloqueio convencional.RELATOS DOS CASOS: Foram encaminhados para o procedimento sete pacientes, do Ambulatório de Cefaleia do Hospital de Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Esses pacientes foram submetidos às aplicações com o laser (D = 60J/cm², 1 vez/semana durante 4 semanas) do lado sintomático em 8 pontos-gatilho localizados através da palpação na região dos nervos occipital maior e menor. Esses pacientes preencheram um diário de dor e foram feitas 4 avaliações: A0 (antes da 1a aplicação), A1 (logo após a última aplicação), A2 e A3 (30 e 60 dias após a última aplicação). CONCLUSÃO: Laser de baixa intensidade promoveu a diminuição da intensidade e frequência da sintomatologia, mas de acordo com os resultados sugere-se que alterações na potência e doses sejam feitas a fim de se buscar um protocolo mais exato.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cervicogenic headache is characterized by nuchal and / or fronto-temporal pain triggered by neck region disorder, C1, C2 or C3. Pain is unilateral, starts in the nuchal region and refers to fronto-temporal region, being episodic or chronic. Major or minor occipital nerve block is performed with two goals: therapeutic and diagnostic. This study aimed at observing the effect of low-intensity laser (GaAIAs) applied to major and minor occipital nerve and / or C2 root at the symptomatic side to treat cervicogenic headaches, replacing conventional block.CASE REPORTS: Seven patients of the Headache Ambulatory, Clinicas Hospital, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, were referred to the procedure. Patients were submitted to laser applications (D = 60J/cm², once a week for four weeks) at the symptomatic side in 8 trigger-points identified through palpation of major and minor occipital nerves region. Patients filled a pain log and 4 evaluations were made: A0 (before first application), A1 (soon after last application), A2 and A3 (30 and 60 days after last application). CONCLUSION: Low-intensity laser has decreased symptoms intensity and frequency, but according to results we suggest that changes in potency and dosages are made to look for a more accurate protocol.