Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

Available online 30 April 2021

In Press, Journal Pre-proofWhat are Journal Pre-proof articles

Myofascial Pain and Treatment

Dry needling trigger points around knee

and hip joints improves function in
patients with mild to moderate knee
osteoarthritis
Mohammad RezaFarazdaghi , Amin KordiUsefinejad , NajmehAbdollahian ,
ab ab ab

MahvashRahimi , AlirezaMotealleh
ab ab

a. Department of physical therapy, School of rehabilitation sciences, University,

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
b. Rehabilitation Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical
Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Received 7 July 2020, Revised 28 March 2021, Accepted 18 April 2021, Available online
30 April 2021.

Article Info
Publication History
Accepted: April 18, 2021
Received in revised form: March 28, 2021
Received: July 7, 2020
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-Proof
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2021.04.011

Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
ScienceDirect
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Abstract
Introduction

Dry needling may be an effective method to alleviate pain and improve

range of motion. Controversial results have been found in previous
studies using dry needling in knee problems. So, the aim of current
study is to exert dry needling technique on unilateral muscles around
the hip and knee joints and evaluate its effects on knee osteoarthritic
patients.

Method

For this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 female patients with

mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (aged 45 - 70 years old) were
recruited. They entered the study if they had any trigger points around
the hip or knee joints of the examined side and randomized into two
groups. Pain, sensitivity of trigger points, balance and function
measured by visual analogue scale, algometer, Y-balance test, timed up
and go, self- paced walk tests beside KOOS questionnaire respectively
before and after intervention. The intervention group received 3
sessions of dry needling on marked trigger points while the sham group
received sham treatment consisting of only the plastic cover of a
needle. Both groups reexamined 2 weeks after primary evaluation.

Results

Comparing results before and after implementing dry needling

revealed significant improvements in all measured variables in
treatment group whereas, pain and timed up and go increased and
peak pain pressure decreased in sham group. Between group
comparison revealed significant differences in all variables.

Conclusion

Using 3 sessions of dry needling can increase functional activity,

sensitivity and balance and decrease pain in patients with knee
osteoarthritis in short term.
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