Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points

Paper ID : 1011-IPTCCU. (R1)

Authors

Sara galal mohammed * 21524

Abstract

The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with dry needling in treating myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the upper trapezius muscle among individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). Sixty participants aged 20-40 years with a BMI of 18-30 kg/m² were randomized into three groups: Group A received TENS with conventional physiotherapy, Group B received dry needling with conventional physiotherapy, and Group C received only conventional physiotherapy. The Neck Disability Index, Cervical Range of Motion device, Visual Analog Scale, and Pressure Pain Algometry were used to measure neck disability, cervical range of motion (ROM), pain intensity, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at baseline and after four weeks of treatment. Results showed that Group A experienced a significant decrease in pain intensity and neck disability scores, along with an increase in cervical ROM and PPT, compared to Groups B and C. Group A demonstrated the most significant improvements (p < 0.001). The study concluded that TENS combined with conventional physiotherapy is more effective than dry needling combined with conventional physiotherapy or conventional physiotherapy alone in reducing pain, improving cervical ROM, and decreasing neck disability in treating upper trapezius MTrPs in NSCNP.

Keywords

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Dry Needling, Myofascial Trigger Points, Neck Disability Index, Non-Specific Neck Pain, Upper Trapezius.

Status: Accepted