The effect of dry needling on gastrocnemius muscle stiffness and strength in participants with latent trigger points

Albin, Stephanie; Koppenhaver, Shane; MacDonald, Cameron W.; Capoccia, Susan; Ngo, D.; Phippen, Samuel E; Pineda, Roi Charles; Wendlandt, A.; Hoffman, Larisa R.

doi:10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102479

Cited by 23 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Our findings observed in myotonometry are similar to those previously observed after the application of manual therapy [9,30] or dry needling [10]. These studies also reported a decrease in muscle tone and an increase of relaxation after the treatment of latent TrPs.…”

Section: Changes In Neuromuscular Functionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…In such a scenario, a small number of trials have shown that the treatment of gastrocnemius muscle TrPs reduces pain, improves health-related quality of life, and increases range of motion [8]. However, few studies have assessed the changes in neuromuscular function by using myotonometry after the treatment of latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscle [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A potential effect of manual therapy and dry needling approaches on stiffness of gastrocnemius muscle after the treatment of latent TrPs has been recently published [9,10]. However, no study has assessed whether dry needling of gastrocnemius muscle latent TrPs is able to generate changes in neuromuscular function through tensiomyography, myometry, pain sensitivity, and range of motion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

Pérez‐Bellmunt

Casasayas-Cos

López-de-Celis

et al. 2021

JCM

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This study aimed to evaluate changes in neuromuscular function and pain perception in latent trigger points (TrPs) in the gastrocnemius muscle after a single session of dry needling. A randomized within-participant clinical trial was conducted. Fifty volunteers with latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscles were explored. Each extremity was randomly assigned to a control or experimental (dry needling) group. Viscoelastic parameters and contractile properties were analyzed by tensiomyography. Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was assessed with the lunge test. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and pain perceived were also analyzed. The results observed that three viscoelastic proprieties (myotonometry) showed significant differences in favor of the experimental extremity in the lateral gastrocnemius: stiffness (p = 0.02), relaxation (p = 0.045), and creep (p = 0.03), but not in the medial gastrocnemius. No changes in tensiomyography outcomes were found. The control extremity showed a higher increase in PPTs (i.e., decrease in pressure pain sensitivity) than the experimental extremity (p = 0.03). No significant effects for range of motion or strength were observed. In general, gender did not influence the effects of dry needling over latent TrPs in the gastrocnemius muscle. In conclusion, a single session of dry needling was able to change some parameters of neuromuscular function, such as muscle tone, relaxation, pressure pain sensitivity, and creep in the lateral (but not medial) gastrocnemius but did not improve strength or range of motion.

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Section: Changes In Neuromuscular Functionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

Pérez‐Bellmunt

Casasayas-Cos

López-de-Celis

et al. 2021

JCM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The stiffness of the tibialis anterior in the supine position was measured [18]. The stiffness of the gastrocnemius lateral and medial muscle was measured with the patient in the prone position and with feet hanging over the end of the bed [19]. The measurements were performed by a physical therapist who was blinded to the measured values.…”

Section: Muscle Stiffness Of Anklementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of vibration rolling on ankle range of motion and ankle muscle stiffness in stroke patients: a crossover study

Park¹,

Jeong²,

Kim³

2020

Preprint

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Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to aid spasticity during physical therapy. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the range of motion (ROM) and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Methods: In this crossover design study, seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 h of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius lateral and medial muscles. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, gastrocnemius lateral stiffness, and gastrocnemius medial stiffness improved significantly (all P < 0.05). After NVR, only gastrocnemius lateral stiffness improved significantly (P < 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the change values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius lateral stiffness, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P < 0.05).Conclusions: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners should consider VR as an intervention to increase dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

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“…Active and latent MTrPs have been widely treated by the use of dry needling techniques (DNT) to increase ROM in healthy individuals and those with neurological and musculoskeletal disease [ 1 , 2 , 13 , 14 , 28 ]. DNT consists of partially inserting and withdrawing a needle at the MTrP site in order to obtain local twitch responses (LTRs) – i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Qualitative ultrasonography scale of the intensity of local twitch response during dry needling and its association with modified joint range of motion: a cross-sectional study

Cruz‐Montecinos

Cerda

Becerra³

et al. 2021

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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Background The relevance of local twitch response (LTR) during dry needling technique (DNT) is controversial, and it is questioned whether LTR is necessary for successful outcomes. Furthermore, because the LTR during the deep DNT may be evoked with different intensities, it is unknown whether the magnitude of LTR intensity is associated with optimal clinical results, especially concerning to the effects of joint maximal range of motion (ROM). This study aimed to (i) determine whether visual inspections can quantify the LTR intensity during the DNT through a qualitative ultrasonography scale of LTR intensity (US-LTR scale), and (ii) assess the differences of US-LTR scale associated with changes in the maximal joint ROM. Methods Using a cross-sectional design, seven asymptomatic individuals were treated with DNT in the latent myofascial trigger point in both medial gastrocnemius muscles. During DNT, three consecutive LTRs were collected. The US-LTR scale was used to classify the LTRs into strong, medium, and weak intensities. The categories of US-LTR were differentiated by the velocity of LTRs using the optical flow algorithm. ROM changes in ankle dorsiflexion and knee extension were assessed before and immediately after DNT. Results The US-LTR scale showed the third LTR was significantly smaller than the first one (p < 0.05). A significant difference in velocity was observed between US-LTR categories (p < 0.001). A significant difference in the ROM was observed between the strong and weak-medium intensity (p < 0.05). Conclusions The present findings suggest that the LTR intensity can be assessed using a qualitative US-LTR scale, and the effects of DNT on joint maximal ROM is maximized with higher LTR intensity. This study reports a novel qualitative method for LTR analysis with potential applications in research and clinical settings. However, further research is needed to achieve a broader application.

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The effect of dry needling on gastrocnemius muscle stiffness and strength in participants with latent trigger points

Cited by 23 publications

References 32 publications

Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

Effects of Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points on Viscoelastic and Muscular Contractile Properties: Preliminary Results of a Randomized Within-Participant Clinical Trial

Effects of vibration rolling on ankle range of motion and ankle muscle stiffness in stroke patients: a crossover study

Qualitative ultrasonography scale of the intensity of local twitch response during dry needling and its association with modified joint range of motion: a cross-sectional study

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