Abstract
Background: Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by localized pain and the presence of trigger points. Various treatment approaches are used for its management, including conventional physiotherapy and Dry Needling. However, there is limited consensus regarding their comparative effectiveness.
Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of dry needling and conventional physiotherapy in reducing pain and improving range of motion in patients with myofascial pain syndrome.
Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 60 participants diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving dry needling and the other receiving conventional physiotherapy. Interventions were carried out over 4–6 weeks. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) was assessed using a goniometer. Data were analysed using SPSS v27, with paired and independent t-tests applied to determine statistical significance.
Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in pain reduction and ROM (p < 0.05). However, the dry needling group demonstrated significantly greater improvement compared to the conventional physiotherapy group.
Conclusion: Dry needling was found to be more effective than conventional physiotherapy in the short-term management of myofascial pain syndrome. The findings suggest that incorporating dry needling into physiotherapy practice may enhance patient outcomes.