Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are major pain generators in myofascial pain syndrome and have a significant impact on the quality of life, pain and functional disability in the neck. Dry needling and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique are two effective technique used in the treatment of active MTrPs. Objective: to compare between the effect of dry needling and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique on upper trapezius active MTrPs. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients participated in the study and were assigned randomly into two equal groups suffering from unilatreral active trigger myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in upper trapeziues muscle in the dominant side. The first group (A) receieved dry needling and passive stretching exercise while the second group (B) received integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique and passive stretching exercise. Their age ranged from 18-35years. Measurement outcome included pressure pain threshold (PPT) which measured by digital electronic pressure algometer and neck function was measured by neck function disability index (NDI) and pain intensity was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) that were taken at the beginning of the treatment period as pre- test measurement and at the end of the treatment period (3weeks) as a posttest measurement for both groups. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in PPT, NDI and VAS post treatment compared with that pre treatment (P < 0.001); however there was significant increase in PPT and significant decrease in NDI and VAS of dry needling group compared with that of integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique group post treatment (p < 0.001)

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