Does Dry Needling Treatment Make an Extra Contribution to Conventional
Treatment in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain? A Randomized Controlled Study
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the effect of adding dry needling treatment to
conventional rehabilitation on pain, range of motion, and functionality
on hemiplegic shoulder pain. Methods: A total of 38 patients with
hemiplegic shoulder pain were divided into two groups. A multimodal
rehabilitation protocol including physical therapy methods and exercise
treatments was applied to both groups (5 sessions per week for a total
of 15 sessions). In addition to the rehabilitation, three sessions of
dry needling treatment were applied for dry needling group. Pain with
visual analog scale, range of motion with a goniometer, functionality
was evaluated by quick disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand and
fugl meyer assessment upper extremity. Evaluations were made before
treatment, after treatment, and at the third month of treatment.
Results: Patients aged from 30-60 years (mean±SD=53.1± 5.3). The average
duration of HSP was 6.7±1 months. While a significant improvement was
observed in both groups in all parameters after the treatment, a
statistical superiority was found in the dry needling group
(p<0.05). At the 3rd month follow-up, there was no difference
in pain and functionality parameters between the groups, while flexion
and abduction measurements were higher in the dry needling group (p
<0.05). Conclusion: Adding dry needling treatment to
conventional rehabilitation did not show any difference except for some
joint range of motion measurements in the subacute period.