Novel use of ultrasound elastography to quantify muscle tissue changes after dry needling of myofascial trigger points in patients with chronic myofascial pain

Abstract

Objectives-To compare a mechanical heterogeneity index derived from ultrasound vibration elastography with physical findings before and after dry-needling treatment of spontaneously painful active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Methods-Forty-eight patients with chronic myofascial pain enrolled in a prospective interventional trial of 3 weekly dry-needling treatments for active myofascial trigger points. Trigger points were evaluated at baseline and at treatment completion using palpation, the pressure-pain threshold, and the mechanical heterogeneity index. Thirty patients were reevaluated at 8 weeks. Trigger points that "responded" changed to tissue that was no longer spontaneously painful, with or without the presence of a palpable nodule. Trigger points that "resolved" changed to tissue without a palpable nodule. The mechanical heterogeneity index was defined as the proportion of the upper trapezius muscle that appeared mechanically stiffer on elastography. Statistical significance for comparisons was determined at P < .05. Results-Following 3 dry needle treatments, the mechanical heterogeneity index decreased significantly for the 38 myofascial trigger points (79% of 48) that responded to treatment. Among these, the baseline mechanical heterogeneity index was significantly lower for the 13 trigger points (27% of 38) that resolved, but the decrease after 3 dry needle treatments did not reach significance. The pressure-pain threshold improved significantly for both groups. At 8 weeks, the mechanical heterogeneity index decreased significantly for the 22 trigger points (73% of 30) that responded and for the 10 (45% of 22) that resolved. The pressure-pain threshold improvement was significant for trigger points that responded but did not reach significance for resolved trigger points. Conclusions-The mechanical heterogeneity index identifies changes in muscle tissue properties that correlate with changes in the myofascial trigger point status after dry needling.