Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points
Soliman, S., Abdel Raoof, N., Mohamed, R. (2025). Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points. EKB Journal Management System, 4(1), 95-123. doi: 10.21608/iptccu.2025.440722
Sara G. Soliman; Neveen A. Abdel Raoof; Rania R. Mohamed. "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points". EKB Journal Management System, 4, 1, 2025, 95-123. doi: 10.21608/iptccu.2025.440722
Soliman, S., Abdel Raoof, N., Mohamed, R. (2025). 'Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points', EKB Journal Management System, 4(1), pp. 95-123. doi: 10.21608/iptccu.2025.440722
Soliman, S., Abdel Raoof, N., Mohamed, R. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; 4(1): 95-123. doi: 10.21608/iptccu.2025.440722

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation versus Dry Needling in Upper Trapezius Myofascial Trigger Points

International Physical Therapy Conference - Cairo University
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 20251, 2025, Page 95-123  XML PDF (1.11 MB)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/iptccu.2025.440722
View on SCiNiTO View on SCiNiTO
Authors
Sara G. Soliman email 1; Neveen A. Abdel Raoof2; Rania R. Mohamed3
1Department of Physical Therapy, General Zagazig Hospital, Al Shaqia, Egypt
2Professor of Physical Therapy, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
3Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy, Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt
Abstract
 The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with dry needling (DN) in treating myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the upper trapezius muscle among individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). Sixty participants aged 20-40 years with a BMI of 18-30 kg/m² were randomized into three groups: Group A received TENS with conventional physiotherapy, Group B received dry needling with conventional physiotherapy, and Group C received only conventional physiotherapy. Visual Analog Scale, Pressure Pain Algometry, Cervical Range of Motion device and The Neck Disability Index, were used to measure neck disability, cervical range of motion (ROM), pain intensity, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) at baseline and after four weeks of treatment.Results showed that Group A experienced a significant decrease in pain intensity and neck disability scores, along with an increase in cervical ROM and PPT, compared to Groups B and C. Group A demonstrated the most significant improvements (p < 0.001). The study concluded that adding electrophysical agents such as TENS to conventional PT may be more effective than dry needling combined with conventional PT or conventional PT alone in reducing pain, improving cervical ROM, and decreasing neck disability in treating upper trapezius MTrPs in NSCNP.
Keywords
Dry Needling; Myofascial Trigger Points; Neck Disability Index; Non-Specific Neck Pain; Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation; Upper Trapezius
Statistics
Article View: 56
PDF Download: 31