Dry needling technique decreases spasticity and improves general functioning in incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2018.1533316 · Published: July 1, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Pain Management Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This case report investigates the use of dry needling to treat spasticity and improve function in a patient with an incomplete spinal cord injury. Dry needling involves inserting fine needles into muscle trigger points. The study found that dry needling resulted in immediate and short-term improvements in spasticity, dynamic stability, walking speed, independence, and pain. The researchers suggest that dry needling may work by reducing muscle stiffness and improving communication between the brain and muscles.

Study Duration

10 weeks

Participants

Single 47-year-old male patient with incomplete spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 4: Case Report

Key Findings

1
Dry needling immediately reduced spasticity in both upper and lower limbs, as measured by the modified Ashworth Scale.
2
Dynamic stability, assessed by trunk accelerometry, improved by more than 50% following dry needling treatment.
3
Gait speed improved by 24.7 seconds (time to walk 20m) after 10 weeks of dry needling treatment.

Research Summary

This case report demonstrates that dry needling treatment can have positive effects on spasticity, dynamic stability, walking velocity, self-independence, and pain in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury. The study suggests that dry needling may improve muscle stiffness and regulation of local/descendent pathways at the spinal level, leading to better muscle synergy during gait. The authors conclude that dry needling represents a possible economical alternative for decreasing spasticity and pain and improving functionality in iSCI, but further studies are needed.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Dry needling may be considered as a potential treatment option for managing spasticity and improving function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.

Research

Further research with larger patient populations is needed to validate these findings and understand the mechanisms of action of dry needling in spinal cord injury.

Economic

Dry needling could be a more affordable treatment option compared to botulinum toxin injections for managing spasticity in iSCI.

Dry needling technique decreases spasticity and improves general functioning in incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Research

Economic

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Dry needling technique decreases spasticity and improves general functioning in incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Research

Economic

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?