The relative effectiveness of electroacupuncture as compared to single dry needle insertion in the treatment of trapezius myofasciitis

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of TENS electrodryneedling as compared to single dry needle insertion in the treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome . This study was a prospective, unblinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A sample size of 60 patients from the Durban Metropolitan area was used. Only patients diagnosed with active trigger points in the Trapezius muscle were accepted into the study. The sample was divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group A received single dry needle insertion and Group B received electrodryneedling. Each patient received two treatments over a period of one week. The short term effects of both treatments were noted. Data was obtained from the patients before and immediately after each consultation. Subjective data was obtained with the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRS 101) and the objective data was obtained from pressure threshold algometry. Statistical analysis of the data involved parametric testing. Intra-group comparisons were made using the paired t-test for NRS 101 and algometer scores. Inter-group comparisons were made using the unpaired t-test for NRS