Abstract: (140 Views)
Background: Laser therapy (LT) and dry needling (DN) are two common methods for treating trigger points(TPs). Given the side effects of DN and the need for alternative methods, the aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence comparing LT and DN to aid clinical decision-making for therapists.
Methods: Databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct were searched from inception until December 15, 2024, along with Google Scholar to find gray literature. All randomized clinical trials comparing LT and DN in terms of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and joint range of motion (ROM) in individuals with TPs were included.
Results:Ten studies met the criteria. All studies demonstrated improvements in the VAS, PPT, and ROM following both treatment methods. In group comparisons, most studies did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups. One study indicated that dry needling had a more significant effect on the VAS, PPT, and joint ROM, while another study showed that dry needling significantly increased the PPT in patients compared to laser therapy. Poor to high quality studies, indicated that there is no significant difference between the effects of LT and DN on pain severity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in patients with TPs in the neck region, as well as on PPT and ROM in patients with upper trapezious active TPs. Evidence level C suggests that there likely is no significant difference in the effects of LT and DN on pain and ROM in patients with active TPs in the upper trapezius muscle.
Conclusion: Evidence level C indicates that there likely is no significant difference between the effects of LT and DN on VAS and ROM in patients with TPs in the trapezius muscle.
Practical Implications: Given the nature of evidence level C, future clinical trials to replace dry needling with laser therapy should address the existing limitations.
Methods: Databases including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct were searched from inception until December 15, 2024, along with Google Scholar to find gray literature. All randomized clinical trials comparing LT and DN in terms of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and joint range of motion (ROM) in individuals with TPs were included.
Results:Ten studies met the criteria. All studies demonstrated improvements in the VAS, PPT, and ROM following both treatment methods. In group comparisons, most studies did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups. One study indicated that dry needling had a more significant effect on the VAS, PPT, and joint ROM, while another study showed that dry needling significantly increased the PPT in patients compared to laser therapy. Poor to high quality studies, indicated that there is no significant difference between the effects of LT and DN on pain severity measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in patients with TPs in the neck region, as well as on PPT and ROM in patients with upper trapezious active TPs. Evidence level C suggests that there likely is no significant difference in the effects of LT and DN on pain and ROM in patients with active TPs in the upper trapezius muscle.
Conclusion: Evidence level C indicates that there likely is no significant difference between the effects of LT and DN on VAS and ROM in patients with TPs in the trapezius muscle.
Practical Implications: Given the nature of evidence level C, future clinical trials to replace dry needling with laser therapy should address the existing limitations.
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