Effectiveness of a respiratory rehabilitation program including an inspiration training device versus traditional respiratory rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In the context of COVID-19, respiratory training is vital for the care and recuperation of individuals. Both exercise-based and instrumental respiratory training have been employed as interventions to enhance respiratory function, providing relief from symptoms in those impacted by the virus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two different respiratory rehabilitation programs. Methods: A total of 200 participants affected with COVID-19 respiratory sequels were recruited, with a block randomization regarding sex to ensure equal and appropriate applicability of the results. An experimental controlled and randomized study was conducted, with participants engaging in a 31 days respiratory rehabilitation program, (a) experimental group, inspiratory training device combined with aerobic exercise and (b) traditional respiratory exercises combined with aerobic exercise. Results: Both groups improved in cardiorespiratory parameters, with a decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure, dyspnea and lower limbs fatigue, and increased oxygen saturation, 6 min walking distance, diaphragmatic thickness, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume during the first second, peak expiratory flow rate, forced inspiratory vital capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure. Comparison between groups showed statistically significant differences in all variables except for oxygen saturation, 6 min walking distance and diaphragmatic thickness. The results of this study support the use of specific inspiration training devices for respiratory rehabilitation in COVID-19 sequels.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Ischaemic Trigger Point Compression of the Levator Scapulae in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Short-Term Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain (CNP) may be associated with latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the levator scapulae (LS), which can be treated with ischemic compression (IC) and dry needling (DN). Variables and elastography changes are evaluated to compare the short-term efficacy of two treatments with DN. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial is conducted with 80 participants in two groups: the DN group (n = 40) and IC group (n = 40). The duration is 12 weeks, and mechanical heterogeneity index, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and pain intensity are measured at baseline, immediately after, 48 h after, and one week after treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were immediately observed between the two groups: PPT decreased in the DN group (p = 0.05), while it increased in the IC group. At 48 h and one week after treatment, these values increased in the DN group and remained higher than in the IC group. The heterogeneity index improved in both groups but more significantly in the DN group than in the IC group. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with CNP who had latent plus hyperalgesic MTrPs in the LS muscle, DN outperformed IC in PPT, pain intensity, and mechanical heterogeneity index at 48 h and one week after initiating therapy.

Effect of Dry Needling Treatment on Tibial Musculature in Combination with Neurorehabilitation Treatment in Stroke Patients: Randomized Clinical Study.

(1) Background: Introducing ultrasound-guided dry needling to neurorehabilitation treatments increases the beneficial effects of therapy. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of including an ultrasound-guided dry needling session in neurorehabilitation treatment on spasticity and gait-balance quality versus neurorehabilitation treatment in subjects who had suffered a stroke. (2) Methods: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted. Thirty-six patients who had suffered a stroke in the right middle cerebral artery signed the informed consent for participation in the study. Twenty patients finally participated and were randomly assigned to the control group (neurorehabilitation treatment) or experimental group (neurorehabilitation treatment plus ultrasound-guided dry needling). Pre-treatment and post-treatment data were collected on the same day. The experimental group (n = 10) first underwent an ultrasound-guided dry needling intervention on the tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior musculature, followed by neurorehabilitation treatment; the control group (n = 10) underwent their corresponding neurorehabilitation without the invasive technique. Pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements were taken on the same day, assessing the quality of balance-gait using the "Up and Go" test and the degree of spasticity using the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale. (3) Results: The patients who received neurorehabilitation treatment plus ultrasound-guided dry needling showed a greater decrease in spasticity in the tibial musculature after the neurorehabilitation treatment session (p < 0.001), improving balance and gait (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: An ultrasound-guided dry needling session combined with neurorehabilitation treatment reduced spasticity and improved balance and gait in stroke patients.

Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Ischemic Trigger Point Compression in the Gluteus Medius in Patients with Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Short-Term Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The presence of latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the gluteus medius is one of the possible causes of non-specific low back pain. Dry needling (DN) and ischemic compression (IC) techniques may be useful for the treatment of these MTrPs. METHODS: For this study, 80 participants were randomly divided into two groups: the dry needling group, who received a single session of DN to the gluteus medius muscle plus hyperalgesia (n = 40), and the IC group, who received a single session of IC to the gluteus medius muscle plus hyperalgesia (n = 40). Pain intensity, the pressure pain threshold (PPT), range of motion (ROM), and quality of life were assessed at baseline, immediately after treatment, after 48 h, and one week after treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were shown between the two groups immediately after the intervention, showing a decrease in PPT (p < 0.05) in the DN group and an increase in PPT in the IC group. These values increased more and were better maintained at 48 h and after one week of treatment in the DN group than in the IC group. Quality of life improved in both groups, with greater improvement in the DN group than in the IC group. CONCLUSIONS: IC could be more advisable than DN with respect to UDP and pain intensity in the most hyperalgesic latent MTrPs of the gluteus medius muscle in subjects with non-specific low back pain, immediately after treatment. DN may be more effective than IC in terms of PPT, pain intensity, and quality of life in treating latent plus hyperalgesic gluteus medius muscle MTrPs in subjects with non-specific low back pain after 48 h and after one week of treatment.

Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid, Dry Needling and Combined Treatment in Patellar Osteoarthritis-Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common ailments worldwide, and pain management of this condition is critical. Methods: A multicentre randomized controlled trial RCT with three months of follow-up, conducted in parallel groups: hyaluronic acid (HA), dry needling (DN) and ultrasound (US) and isometrics of quadriceps. 60 participants took part in the RCT who were diagnosed with osteoarthritis (Grade 3) of the knee by MRI and active adults (age: 23.41 ± 1.68 years; height: 1.79 ± 0.08 m; body mass: 78.33 ± 9.03 kg; body mass index (BMI): 24.14 ± 1.45 kg/m2). After the assigned intervention, VAS, WOMAC, IPAQ and the Star Excursion Balance test were measured at baseline. At 24 h, 15 days, 30 days, 90 days and 180 days follow-up, all variables were measured again. Results: Comparing statistically significant differences between groups, VAS scores were significant at post-test measurement (HA vs. US + isometric and DN vs. US + isometric) at 24 h (HA vs. DN), at 15 days (HA vs. US + isometric and DN vs. US + isometric) and at 1 month (US + isometric vs. HA and US + isometric vs. DN). Conclusions: There is an improvement in pain intensity in knee osteoarthritis in the short term in patients undergoing DN and conventional US + isometric treatment, but in the long term the HA group shows an improvement in pain intensity. There is also a significant difference in the improvement of knee function at different phases of the study in the various intervention groups. The combination of DN and HA in clinical practice is the best option for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Effects of dry needling on post-stroke spasticity, motor function and stability limits: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of inclusion of deep dry needling into a treatment session following the Bobath concept on spasticity, motor function and postural control after a stroke. METHODS: 26 patients who had suffered a stroke were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: Bobath only, or Bobath plus dry needling. Both groups received a session including strengthening, stretching and reconditioning exercises following the principles of the Bobath concept. Patients in the Bobath plus dry needling group also received a single session of ultrasound-guided dry needling of the tibialis posterior. Spasticity (Modified Modified Ashworth Scale), function (Fugl-Meyer Scale) and stability limits (computerised dynamic posturography using the SMART EquiTest System) were collected before and 10 min after treatment by a blinded assessor. The parameters of the stability limits included movement velocity (MVL), maximum excursion (MXE), end-point excursion (EPE) and directional control (DCL). RESULTS: A greater number of individuals receiving Bobath plus dry needling exhibited a decrease in spasticity after treatment (P<0.001). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that patients receiving Bobath plus dry needling exhibited greater improvements in the balance (0.8, 95% CI 0.2 to 1.4), sensory (1.7, 95% CI 0.7 to 2.7) and range of motion (3.2, 95% CI 2.0 to 4.4) domains of the Fugl-Meyer Scale than those receiving Bobath only. ANCOVA also found that subjects receiving dry needling showed a greater increase in MVL non-affected forward direction, EPE non-affected direction, MXE backward and MXE affected/non-affected, DCL backward and DCL affected backward direction, than those who did not receive it. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of deep dry needling into a treatment session following the Bobath concept was effective at decreasing spasticity and improving balance, range of motion and the accuracy of maintaining stability in patients who had experienced a stroke. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02579291.

Trigger Point Dry Needling and Proprioceptive Exercises for the Management of Chronic Ankle Instability: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective. To compare the effects of combined trigger point dry needling (TrP-DN) and proprioceptive/strengthening exercises to proprioceptive/strengthening exercises on pain and function in ankle instability. Methods. Twenty-seven (44% female, mean age: 33 ± 3 years) individuals with unilateral ankle instability were randomly assigned to an experimental group who received proprioceptive/strengthening exercises combined with TrP-DN into the lateral peroneus muscle and a comparison group receiving the same proprioceptive/strengthening exercise program alone. Outcome included function assessed with the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and ankle pain intensity assessed with a numerical pain rate scale (NPRS). They were captured at baseline and 1-month follow-up after the intervention. Results. The ANOVAs found significant Group ∗ Time Interactions for both subscales of the FAAM (ADL: F = 8.211; P = 0.008; SPORTS: F = 13.943; P < 0.001) and for pain (F = 44.420; P < 0.001): patients receiving TrP-DN plus proprioceptive/strengthening exercises experienced greater improvements in function and pain than those receiving the exercise program alone. Between-groups effect sizes were large in all outcomes (SMD > 2.1) in favor of the TrP-DN group. Conclusions. This study provides evidence that the inclusion of TrP-DN within the lateral peroneus muscle into a proprioceptive/strengthening exercise program resulted in better outcomes in pain and function 1 month after the therapy in ankle instability.

Changes in spasticity, widespread pressure pain sensitivity, and baropodometry after the application of dry needling in patients who have had a stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of deep dry needling (DDN) on spasticity, pressure sensitivity, and plantar pressure in patients who have had stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Thirty-four patients who previously had a stroke were randomly assigned either an experimental group that received a single session of DDN over the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles on the spastic leg or a control group that received no intervention. Spasticity (evaluated with the Ashworth Scale); pressure pain thresholds over the deltoid muscle, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior muscle; and plantar pressure (baropodometry) were collected by a blinded assessor before and 10 minutes after intervention. RESULTS: A greater number of individuals receiving DDN exhibited decreased spasticity after the intervention (P < .001). The analysis of covariance showed that pressure pain thresholds increased bilaterally in patients receiving DDN compared with those who did not receive the intervention (P < .001). The analysis of covariance also found that patients receiving DDN experienced bilateral increases of support surface in the forefoot, unilateral increase of the support surface in the rear foot of the treated (affected) side, and bilateral decreases in mean pressure (all, P < .02) as compared with those who did not receive DDN. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that a single session of DDN decreases spasticity and widespread pressure sensitivity in individuals with poststroke spasticity. Deep dry needling also induced changes in plantar pressure by increasing the support surface and decreasing the mean pressure.