Electrical Dry Needling Versus Sham Dry Needling in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) affects approximately 7-8% of the global population and remains a leading cause of disability and healthcare burden. Conventional management strategies, including medication, manual therapy, and exercise, often provide partial or temporary relief. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are highly prevalent in CLBP and contribute to persistent pain and movement restrictions.

Dry needling has emerged as a widely used intervention to deactivate MTrPs. The technique produces a local twitch response, improves blood flow, and reduces muscle tightness. Electrical dry needling (EDN) enhances this effect by delivering low-frequency electrical stimulation through the inserted needles, which may result in improved neuromuscular relaxation and pain modulation.

Despite encouraging findings from prior studies, the literature lacks rigorous trials comparing EDN with sham dry needling (SDN) controls. Sham procedures are critical to distinguish specific treatment effects from placebo or expectancy effects. This study aims to fill that gap.

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial (parallel groups, single-blind).

Sample size: 70 patients (35 per group), aged 18-25 years, with CLBP >3 months and confirmed active MTrPs.

Recruitment site: Social Security Hospital, Kot Lakhpat, Lahore.

Duration: 9 months after approval.

Randomization: Lottery method.

Blinding: Single-blind (assessor unaware of treatment allocation).

Interventions:

Group A (EDN + Conventional Therapy): Weekly 30-45 min sessions for 6 weeks. EDN applied at quadratus lumborum, multifidus, and iliocostalis lumborum trigger points, with low-frequency electrical stimulation (2-10 Hz, 10-15 minutes). Physiotherapy includes core strengthening, stretching, posture education, and home-based exercises.

Group B (SDN + Conventional Therapy): Same physiotherapy protocol. Sham needling applied with superficial or blunt needles without tissue penetration; no electrical stimulation.

Outcome Measures:

Pain intensity (VAS)

Functional disability (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire)

Kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia)

Data Collection: Baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week.

Statistical Analysis: Data will be analyzed using SPSS v24. Descriptive statistics will summarize demographics. Normality will be tested (Shapiro-Wilk/Kolmogorov-Smirnov). Between- and within-group comparisons will be conducted using ANOVA for parametric data, or Mann-Whitney/Wilcoxon tests for non-parametric data. Significance level set at p < 0.05.

Ethical Considerations:

The study has received Institutional Research Ethics Board (IREB) approval from the University of Lahore. Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Confidentiality, anonymity, and voluntary participation will be ensured. Participants may withdraw at any time without penalty.

Potential Impact:

This study will provide high-quality evidence on the clinical effectiveness of EDN compared to SDN in CLBP patients. If successful, EDN may be integrated into physiotherapy practice as an evidence-based intervention for reducing pain, disability, and fear of movement in this population.

Inclusion criteria

• Both male and female gender will be included (Fernández-Carnero, 2021).
• Clinically diagnosed of chronic low back pain persisting for at least three months (Tüzün et al., 2017)
• Identifiable active myofascial trigger points in the lower back muscles, confirmed through palpation or another standardized method (Donohoe, 2016).
• Moderate to severe pain intensity, measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) (Tüzün et al., 2017)
• Sufficient cognitive and physical ability to engage in assessments and interventions (Tüzün et al., 2017)

Exclusion criteria

• Known hypersensitivity to needles, history of severe bleeding disorders, or any condition that contraindicates dry needling (Tüzün et al., 2017)
• Use of other physical therapy interventions or dry needling treatments in the last three months for low back pain (Fernández-Carnero, 2021).
• Presence of specific spinal conditions (e.g., disc herniation, spinal stenosis, fractures, or recent spinal surgeries) (Tüzün et al., 2017)
• History of neurological conditions affecting movement, sensation, or pain perception, such as multiple sclerosis or peripheral neuropathy (Donohoe, 2016)
• Pregnant women will be excluded due to potential risks associated with the interventions (Tüzün et al., 2017)
• Unstable psychiatric conditions or active substance abuse that could interfere with participation or adherence to study procedures