Short-term Effects of Dry Needling Treatment on Pain, Quality of Life, and Sleep Quality in Patients with Fibromyalgia with Tender Myofascial Trigger Points

Abstract

Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain, hyperalgesia, fatigue, sleep and mood disturbances, and decreased quality of life and daily functioning. Myofascial trigger point tenderness is very common in patients with FMS. This study evaluated the short-term efficacy of dry needling therapy on pain, sleep, and quality of life in patients with FMS with tender myofascial trigger points. Methods: The data of 120 patients from 178 patients with fibromyalgia who met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: those who were treated with dry needling once per week for 6 weeks and those who only continued current medical treatment. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire scores, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores were assessed at baseline and at the 6-week follow-up. Results: The median age of the 120 patients [77 (64%) female] was 38 years. All median values of SF-36 variables were significantly higher in the medical treatment group, and both NRS and PSQI values were significantly higher in the dry-needling group at admission (p<0.001). After 6 weeks of follow-up, there was a significant increase in all median SF-36 parameters and a significant decrease in NRS and PSQI scores in the dry-needling group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Dry needling treatment, which is performed once per week as a complementary option to current medical treatment, provides positive effects on pain, quality of life, mood disorders, and sleep quality in patients with FMS with tender myofascial trigger points at the 6-week follow-up.

Keywords

• fibromyalgia
• dry needling therapy
• myofascial trigger point pain