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Dry Needling in the Management of Myofascial Trigger Points in the Orofacial Area: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Sponsor: Universidade do Porto
Summary
A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted, in which Dry Needling (DN), sham DN (placebo), and counselling (gold standard) were compared, with specific objectives to assess both the benefits (e.g., pain reduction and functional improvement) and harms (e.g., adverse events) of each intervention.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2013-09-18
Completion Date
2014-03-19
Last Updated
2026-11-03
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Dry Needling
Dry Needling therapy was applied in the Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) using standard single use sterile acupuncture needles 0,20mm x 13mm. The patient was placed in the supine position, the skin was disinfected with alcohol, the trigger points were determined, and the needle was inserted. When the needle penetrated the MTrP a movement "up and down" was repeated 3 to 5 times (without being completely removed). The procedure was repeated for each MTrPs present, including both active and latent points.
Sham Dry Needling
Sham Dry Needling was applied pricking the skin with a blunted needle after the skin was disinfected with alcohol and the trigger points determined. The sham DN looked very similar to real DN except it didn't penetrate the skin.
Counselling
Counseling program about Myofascial Pain and Myofascial Trigger Points, emphasizing the benign nature of the condition. Patients were were instructed to relax their masticatory muscles, avoid clenching their teeth, refrain from chewing gum, biting their nails or pens, and to avoid other similar oral habits.
Locations (1)
Centro Hospitalar de São João
Porto, Portugal