The Effect of Dry Needling of Trigger Points in Forearm’s Extensor Muscles on the Grip Force, Pain and Function of Athletes with Chronic Tennis Elbow
Background: Tennis elbow syndrome (TES) is mainly known by having pain in the external side of the elbow. Physiotherapy plays an effective role in the treatment of this syndrome. Dry needling is a less invasive, novel, and inexpensive method that shows its therapeutic effects in a shorter time in...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jrsr.sums.ac.ir/article_44736_54dd54b1659463508b4ba9d0b48e817c.pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Tennis elbow syndrome (TES) is mainly known by having pain
in the external side of the elbow. Physiotherapy plays an effective role in the
treatment of this syndrome. Dry needling is a less invasive, novel, and inexpensive
method that shows its therapeutic effects in a shorter time in comparison with
the other physiotherapy methods. Effect on tough bands, circulation, and
environmental and central neurophysiological effects are some mechanisms by
which dry needling poses its effects. The aim of this study was to study the effect
of adding dry needling to routine physiotherapy methods in order to improve
grip strength and function and reduce pain, as well as to decrease costs and
treatment duration for treating tennis elbow syndrome.
Methods: Forty four athletes aged 18 to 40 years old who had exercise or match
for at least 3 sessions per week (for a sum of 6 hours per week), and were detected
to have tennis elbow syndrome lasting more than 3 months were recognized
and classified into two groups. The first group received physiotherapy including
ultrasound, deep friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening
exercises. The second group received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy
treatment. Therapeutic duration was 3 weeks in each group and 3 sessions in each
week. The patient rate elbow evaluation questionnaire (PREE) was completed at
the beginning of treatment and the beginning of the second and third weeks, as
well as at the end of the third week; grip strength was measured at the mentioned
times as well. One week after the end of the therapeutic period, patients were reevaluated for the reliability rate of the treatment outcomes. For analysis of data
obtained for the study, repeated measure test, Mixed ANOVA, and Paired T-test
statistical tests were used.
Results: Results showed that all evaluated variables (including pain, function,
and grip strength) were improved in the patients of both groups after completion
of the therapeutic period (P<0.0001). Comparison of the two groups showed a
significant difference in the pain variable at the seventh session with P<0.0001,
the ninth session with P=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with
P<0.001, and the performance variable at seventh sessions with P<0.0001, ninth
sessions with P=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with P<0.0001,
respectively. The pain reduction and function increase rates were higher in the
group that received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy in comparison
with the group that received physiotherapy after the seventh session. Regarding grip strength variable, the mean of groups was different, though the effect of
these two methods in the enhancement of grip strength was not statistically
significant (P=0.09). Moreover, regarding the results obtained for the group that
received physiotherapy in addition to dry needling, the pain variable reduced in
a shorter time in comparison with the other group.
Conclusion: With regard to the results mentioned above, both therapeutic
methods resulted in an improvement in the studied variables in a comparison
that was performed before and after treatment. Moreover, in comparison with
the single physiotherapy, using dry needling in addition to physiotherapy had a
more powerful effect in improving the studied variables. Therefore, it could be
said that using dry needling in addition to other therapeutic methods results
in the facilitation of treatment process in the patients, and can reduce their
therapeutic costs |
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| ISSN: | 2345-6159 2345-6159 |