Trigger Point Dry Needling for Chronic Tension-Type Headache

Summary

In this double-blind randomized trial, we aimed to explore the effectiveness of trigger point dry needling in patients with chronic tension type headache (CTTH) in reduction of headache frequency, intensity, duration, and improvement of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).A total of 160 CTTH patients participated in this double-blind, sham-controlled randomized trial. The patients received dry needling using sterile stainless-steel acupuncture needles of 0.25x40 mm and 0.25x 25 mm dimensions three times a week for 2 weeks. The primary outcome measurement which was the headache intensity and, the secondary outcome measurements which were the headache frequency and duration were collected using a headache diary before and after treatment. Another secondary outcome measurement which was the health related quality of life was measured before treatment and at the end of the 1-month follow-up period. HRQoL assessments of patients were performed using Short Form-36 (SF-36). In the dry needling (DN) group, both the primary outcome measurements and the scores of SF-36 subscales were significantly improved after treatment. In the DN group, all effect sizes for headache variables were large. The results of this clinical trial suggest that trigger point dry needling in patients with CTTH is effective and safe in reduction of headache frequency, intensity, duration, and increasing health-related quality of life.

Conditions

• Tension-Type Headache
• Trigger Points

Interventions

OTHER

Dry Needling

The trigger point DN procedure was performed by a certified physiotherapist. While the patient was sitting, the therapist firstly cleaned the area with alcohol. Then, DN was applied into the active TrPs on the basis of the technique described by Hong (19). The needle remained in the trigger points for 20 minutes. Upon removal of the needle, the area was compressed firmly with a cotton swab for 60 secs. The DN procedure used sterile stainless-steel acupuncture needles of 0.25x40 mm and 0.25x 25 mm dimensions (Hua Long ®). DN was applied three times a week for 2 weeks, in previously diagnosed active trigger points located in the musculature of the head and the neck. the Sham Dry Needling procedure was applied into the adipose tissue located at any area where an active TrPs was absent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Eastern Mediterranean University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Emine H. Tüzün, Prof.Dr. · Instructor

• Sıla Gildir, MsC. · Physical Therapist

• Goncagül Eroğlu, PT. · Physical Therapist

• Levent Eker, Assist.Prof. · Instructor

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2017-04-01

Primary Completion

2017-08-01

Completion

2017-08-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations