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Published on: June 6, 2025
Effects of dry needling on function, hypertonia and quality of life in chronic stroke: a randomized clinical trial
Sandra Calvo1, Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz2, Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez2
1IIS Aragon, Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Background:
Persons with stroke commonly have impairments associated with a reduction in functionality. Motor impairments are the most prevalent, causing an impact on activities of daily life.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a session of dry needling (DN) applied to the upper extremity muscles on the sensorimotor function, hypertonia, and quality of life of persons with chronic stroke.
Methods:
A randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial was performed. Participants were randomly assigned into an intervention group that received a single session DN in the biceps brachii, brachialis, flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus, extensor digitorum, adductor pollicis and triceps brachii muscles, or into a control group that received the same treatment but with a sham DN intervention. Treatment outcomes included the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale for the upper extremity, the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale, and the EuroQol-5D questionnaire. Measurements were carried out before, immediately after, and 14 days after intervention.
Results:
Twenty-three persons participated in the study. Significant differences between groups were observed after the intervention in the total wrist-hand motor score (p = 0.023) and sensorimotor score (p = 0.022), for hypertonia in the elbow extensors both after treatment (p = 0.002) and at follow-up (p = 0.018), and in quality of life at follow-up (p = 0.030).
Conclusions:
A single session of DN improved total wrist-hand motor function and total sensorimotor function in persons with chronic stroke immediately after treatment, as well as quality of life 2 weeks after treatment.
Trial Registration Number:
NCT03546517 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
