Immediate Effects of Dry Needling on Pain and Function among Individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of dry needling on pain and function among individuals with myofascial trigger points due to patellofemoral pain syndrome. Study Design: It was a single centered quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: It was performed at University of Lahore teaching hospital from August 2018 to January 2019. Materials and Methods: Thirty participants aged between 20 to 40 years were recruited. Participants obtained a single treatment session of dry needling. Function and pain was assessed at baseline and at 72 hours of trigger point dry needling. Mean and standard deviation were reported, pre and post intervention scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant improvement was measured in pain (92.7±15.9) at 72 hours of intervention as compared to baseline value (89.0±12.2) on Knee Society Score. The function score (73.6±11.1) was also improved. 90% individuals showed positive ranks on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale at 72 hours after the dry needling intervention. Conclusion: Dry needling cause's immediate and clinically significant reduction in pain and improvement in function of knee joint in the subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome at 72 hours post treatment session. The immediate effects were studied but it is suggested that dry needling should be studied for its long term effects in patients with PFPS. Dry needling needs further investigation to be accepted as an isolated intervention for patients with Patellofemoral Pain.