TY - JOUR JF - Func-Disabil-J JO - Func Disabil J VL - 3 IS - 1 PY - 2020 Y1 - 2020/2/01 TI - Comparison of the Effects of Dry Needling and High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Pain Intensity and Pain Pressure Threshold in Females With Active Trigger Points in Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Single-blind Randomized Clinical Trial TT - N2 - Background & Objectives: Myofascial Trigger Point (MTrP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. The MTrP includes highly sensitive points within a taut band, is painful to palpation, and causes pain in a specific pattern. The MTrP is more prevalent in the upper trapezius muscle because this muscle plays an important role in maintaining the posture of the head and neck. This study aimed to compare the effects of dry needling and high-intensity laser therapy on the clinical signs of females with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Methods: Thirty females with the active MTrP of the upper trapezius muscle were randomly assigned into two groups: high-intensity laser therapy group (n=15) and dry needling group (n=15); they received the interventions in five sessions for three weeks. The outcome measures included pain intensity and pain pressure threshold, which were assessed before and two days after the interventions. Results: In both study groups, the scores of the visual analogue scale of pain were significantly decreased, also, the pain pressure threshold was significantly increased (P=0.001), after the treatment. However, the two groups did not significantly differ in any of the outcome measures (P>0.05). Conclusion: Both high-intensity laser therapy and dry needling can be employed to treat the MTrP of the upper trapezius muscle. Considering the effectiveness of the two treatments, each of the methods can be alternatively selected for these patients. SP - 111 EP - 122 AU - Parandnia, Azizeh AU - Yassin, Marzieh AU - Sarrafzadeh, Javad AU - Salehi, Reza AU - Navaei, Fereshte AD - Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. KW - Myofascial pain syndrome KW - Myofascial trigger point KW - Dry needling KW - High-intensity laser therapy KW - Upper trapezius muscle UR - http://fdj.iums.ac.ir/article-1-137-en.html DO - 10.32598/fdj.3.16 ER -