Combining Patient Education With Dry Needling and Ischemic Compression for Treating Myofascial Trigger Points in Office Workers With Neck Pain: A Single-Blinded, Randomized Trial

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare immediate and short-term effects of combining dray needling (DN) + patient education vs ischemic compression (IC) + patient education for treating myofascial trigger points (MTP) in office workers with neck pain. Methods This was a single-blinded, randomized trial. Thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either DN + patient education or IC + patient education group. Both groups received 2 treatment sessions with a 48-hour time interval. Pain intensity, cervical range of motion, Neck Disability Index, and satisfaction were measured. Results Pain intensity and neck disability level decreased, whereas the cervical range of motion (side-bending and rotation) increased in both groups. Analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction of group × treatment only for pain intensity, indicating a greater reduction in the IC group. Satisfaction generally increased in the follow-up assessment in both groups. Conclusion Both intervention groups had some positive immediate and short-term effects after 2 treatment sessions. However, IC + patient education was more effective than DN + patient education in the treatment of MTPs in office workers with neck pain.