Dry Needling for Patients With Neck Pain

Background: Neck pain is a costly and common problem. Current treatments are not adequately effective for a large proportion of patients who continue to experience recurrent pain. Therefore, new treatment strategies should be investigated in an attempt to reduce the disability and high costs associated with neck pain.

Dry needling is a technique in which a fine needle is used to penetrate the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle with the intent to mechanically disrupt tissue without the use of an anesthetic. Dry needling is emerging as a treatment modality that is widely used clinically to address a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Recent studies of dry needling in mechanical neck pain have shown decreased pain, increased pain pressure threshold, improved range of motion, and decreased disability in the short term. The majority of these studies examined dry needling using methods atypical to clinical practice (dry needling as a sole treatment, or fewer visits than is common practice). None included long-term follow up. A clinical trial with realistic treatment time frames and methods consistent with clinical practice is needed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling on reducing pain and enhancing function in patients presenting with mechanical neck pain.

Purpose: The aim of this trial will be to examine the short and long term effectiveness of dry needling on pain, disability, and patient perceived improvements in patients with neck pain.

Design: The investigators will conduct a randomized single blind placebo controlled trial in accordance with the CONSORT guidelines. All patients with mechanical neck pain referred to physical therapy will be screened for eligibility criteria. Participants will be randomized to receive 1) dry needling, manual therapy, and exercise or 2) sham dry needling, manual therapy and exercise. Participants will receive 7 treatments over a maximum of 4 weeks.

Methods: The primary outcome will be disability as measured by the Neck Disability Index. Pain and patient perceived improvement will also be recorded. Outcome measures will be assessed at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12-months by an assessor who is blind to the group allocation of the participants to determine the short and long-term treatment effects.

Data Analysis: The investigators will examine the primary aim with a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with treatment group as the between subject variable and time as the within-subjects variable. The hypothesis of interest will be the 2-way group by time interaction.

Significance: The successful completion of this trial will provide evidence to demonstrate whether dry needling is effective for the management of mechanical neck pain when used in a combined treatment approach as is commonly practiced clinically.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between >18 years old
• Primary complaint of neck pain
• Neck Disability Index > 10 points=20%

Exclusion criteria

• Red flags noted in the patient's Neck Medical Screening Questionnaire (i.e. tumor, fracture, metabolic diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, osteoporosis, prolonged history of steroid use, symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency, pregnancy, cervical spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity symptoms etc.
• Use of blood thinners
• History of whiplash injury within the past six weeks
• Evidence of central nervous system involvement, to include hyperreflexia, sensory disturbances in the hand, intrinsic muscle wasting of the hands, unsteadiness during walking, nystagmus, loss of visual acuity, impaired sensation of the face, altered taste, the presence of pathological reflexes (i.e. positive Hoffman's and/or Babinski reflexes), etc.
• Two or more positive neurologic signs consistent with nerve root compression, including any two of the following:

• Muscle weakness involving a major muscle group of the upper extremity
• Diminished upper extremity muscle stretch reflex (biceps brachii, brachioradialis, or triceps)
• Diminished or absent sensation to pinprick in any upper extremity dermatome
• Prior surgery to the neck or thoracic spine
• Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, or Acupuncture treatment for their neck pain in the last 12-months
• Workers compensation or pending legal action regarding their neck pain
• Insufficient English language skills to complete all questionnaires
• Inability to comply with treatment and follow-up schedule