Assessment of Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Treating Shoulder Pain

This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comprising a sample of 30 volunteers with unilateral shoulder pain of both sexes, aged 18 to 35 years. They were clinically evaluated to assess inclusion and exclusion criteria. For inclusion in the study, volunteers had unilateral shoulder pain for more than 3 months and were symptomatic at the time of evaluation. The volunteers were randomized into two groups (G1: active dry needling) versus (G2: placebo dry needling). The procedure was performed by one investigator, while outcome measures (pressure pain thresholds, VAS, glenohumeral internal rotation deficit, and muscle activity) were assessed by other investigators, ensuring a double-blinded evaluation of the experiment. Volunteers were recruited through social networks and emails. The study was conducted in two experimental sessions on separate days, at least 48-72 hours apart to avoid carry-over effects. Primary and secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after and 48-72 hours after dry needling.

Assessment of infraspinatus and middle deltoid muscle activity was performed by electromyography (EMG). For the EMG protocol, the patient remained standing while holding a distal load, the magnitude of which depended on the patient's weight. In patients weighting less than 68 kg, a load of 1.5 kg was used; those weighting more than 68 kg lifted 2.5 kg. After a brief familiarization period, patients were asked to perform 5 repetitions of shoulder elevation in a scapular plane with external rotation and elbow extended, ranging from 30° to 90°. EMG recordings were taken during the ascent and descent, with a duration of 3 seconds at each stage. The movement was synchronized using a metronome so that there was as little variability as possible between participants.

The study is original and there are no previously published data available. Thus, data obtained from the pilot study were used for sample size calculation. The variable with the lowest coefficient of determination (R-squared) was considered as a primary outcome (pain perceived by visual analog scale), and applied as input for the calculation. The analysis was performed with an effect size of 0.76, an alpha of 5% and a power of 95%. The results indicated that a total of 22 volunteers were needed. Assuming a loss of 20%, each group consists of 14 volunteers (with a total sample of 28 volunteers). The sample calculation was performed using the G-Power 3.1.9.7 software.

The study was pre registered in the brazilian database (www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br) before starting data collection, although identifier were not provided.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects with unilateral shoulder pain
• Glenohumeral internal rotation deficit
• Presence of active myofascial trigger point in the infraspinatus muscle

Exclusion criteria

• Previous surgery in the upper limb
• Previous physiotherapy treatments in the shoulder
• Dry needling contraindications
• Previous dry needling experience to mantain the blinding