Electroencephalographic Changes After Application of Dry Needling [DNHS^© Technique] in Two Patients With Chronic Stroke

Abstract

Background: Dry needling [DNHS^© technique] is a promising treatment modality for patients with spasticity. However, little is known regarding the indirect effects of dry needling on regional brain activity. This study aimed to describe the electroencephalographic changes found after the application of DNHS^© in two patients with stroke.

Findings: Two patients with chronic stroke and spasticity received a single session of dry needling in spastic muscles selected after clinical evaluation. An improvement in the regional brain activity was observed after the application of DNHS^© based on the measurement of quantitative electroencephalographic activity and electroencephalographic cordance.

Conclusions: This study shows that the DNHS^© technique, which is based on a peripheral application, has a positive effect on regional brain activity.

Keywords:

• dry needling
• electroencephalography
• hypertonia
• stroke
• spasticity

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Dr. Txema Vergara [Neurophysiologist of the Miguel Servet Hospital of Zaragoza] for introducing the Bioinformation Group into the study of electroencephalographic cordance, and for his cooperation in the technical and methodological development of the same. Special thanks to Dr. José Ramón Valdizán for the article review and his collaboration with the GIMACES research group of the San Jorge University. Thanks also to the Aragonese Associations ATECEA and AIDIMO for their collaboration.

Declaration of Interest

Pablo Herrero owns the register of DNHS^© mark. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.