Effects of dry needling session frequency on wrist flexor spasticity and motor recovery after stroke: a single-blind randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Background

Determining the optimal number of dry needling (DN) sessions to satisfactorily treat a stroke patient with spasticity is important from both clinical and economic perspective.

Objective

To explore the effects of one versus three sessions of DN on spasticity of the wrist flexors and motor recovery after stroke.

Methods

In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 24 patients were randomly and equally divided into two groups: one group received one session of DN, while the other group received three sessions of DN in one week. Both groups received one minute of DN of the flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris. The outcome measures were the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS), passive resistance torque (PRT), wrist active and passive extension range of motion (ROM), and the Brunnstrom Stages of Stroke Recovery (BSSR) measured before, immediately after, and one week after the last DN session.

Results

Both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in all outcomes (p < .05). The MMAS scores in both groups meaningfully improved (p < .001). No significant differences were found between the two groups; however, a significant time-by-group interaction was observed for the PRT (p = .02; Cohen’s d = 0.23–0.73), wrist active extension ROM (p = .001; Cohen’s d = 0.37–0.67), and wrist passive extension ROM (p = .02; Cohen’s d = 0.32–1.30). The BSSR significantly improved from 3 to 4 in both groups (p < .001).

Conclusion

Administering three sessions of DN can effectively improve spasticity and motor function after stroke.

KEYWORDS:

• Dry needling
• stroke
• spasticity
• motor recovery
• session frequency

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the patients who participated in this study, and the Research Deputy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences for supporting this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.