Chronic
neck pain attributed to a
myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by the presence of muscle
contractures referred to as myofascial trigger points. In this randomized, parallel-group, blinded, controlled clinical trial, we examined the effectiveness of deep
dry needling (DDN) of myofascial trigger points in people with chronic nonspecific
neck pain. The study was conducted at a public Primary Health Care Centre in Madrid, Spain, from January 2010 to December 2014. A total of 130 participants with nonspecific
neck pain presenting with active myofascial trigger points in their cervical muscles were included. These participants were randomly allocated to receive: DDN plus stretching (n = 65) or stretching only (control group [n = 65]). Four sessions of treatment were applied over 2 weeks with a 6-month follow-up
after treatment.
Pain intensity,
mechanical hyperalgesia, neck active range of motion, neck muscle strength, and perceived neck disability were measured at baseline, after 2 sessions of intervention, after the intervention period, and 15, 30, 90, and 180 days after the intervention. Significant and clinically relevant differences were found in favour of
dry needling in all the outcomes (all P < 0.001) at both short and long follow-ups. Deep
dry needling and
passive stretching is more effective than
passive stretching alone in people with nonspecific
neck pain. The results support the use of DDN in the management of
myofascial pain syndrome in people with chronic nonspecific
neck pain.