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Williams CL, Falyar CR, McConnell RC, Lindsley S. Safety Considerations When Dry Needling the Multifidi in the Thoracolumbar Region: A Cadaveric Study. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2023; 18:1356-1363. [PMID: 38050548 PMCID: PMC10693480 DOI: 10.26603/001c.89663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dry needling the lumbar multifidi is a technique used by physical therapists to effectively treat low back pain. While studies have examined the safety considerations in the upper lumbar spine related to the kidneys and lungs, none have investigated the possibility of entering the spinal canal in this region. Purpose The purpose of this cadaveric ultrasound-guided dry needling exploration was to determine if a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum at the T12/L1 interspace and enter the spinal canal using a paramedian approach in a fresh-frozen, lightly fixed cadaver in the prone position. Study Design Cadaveric study. Methods The procedure was performed on a cadaver in the prone position. The needle was advanced under ultrasound guidance to determine if a 0.30 x 50 mm dry needle inserted 1.0 cm lateral to the spinous process of T12 and directed medially at a 22-degree angle could penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal. Results As determined via ultrasound, a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum and enter the spinal canal at the thoracolumbar junction using this technique. Conclusion This interprofessional collaboration demonstrates that a dry needle can penetrate the ligamentum flavum to enter the spinal canal at T12/L1 using a documented technique for dry needling the multifidus. A thorough understanding of human anatomy along with the incorporation of available technology, such as ultrasound, may decrease the risk of adverse events when dry needling the multifidi at the thoracolumbar junction. Level of Evidence Level IV.
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Perreault T, Arendt-Nielson L, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Dommerholt J, Herrero P, Hubbard R. Intramuscular Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Trigger Points in Patients with Chronic Migraine: A Protocol for a Pilot Study Using a Single-Case Experimental Design. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:1380. [PMID: 37629671 PMCID: PMC10456716 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59081380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Trigger points (TrPs) are prevalent in patients with migraine headaches. Needling interventions targeting TrPs in migraine patients may reduce the intensity and frequency of headaches, yet systematic reviews reveal a lack of robust evidence. Intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) is a modality that delivers electrical current into muscles and TrPs, with recent studies suggesting it may amplify the therapeutic effects of dry needling peripherally and centrally. This could be advantageous for patients with migraine and symptomatic TrPs. Materials and Methods: This study will implement a multiple baseline single-case experimental design (SCED). In a clinical setting, a SCED study lends itself to conducting research with only a few patients that each serve as their own controls. In this SCED study, four participants with chronic migraine will be enrolled in a non-concurrent manner and randomized to one of four baseline measurement periods (4, 5, 6 or 7 weeks), leading to four potentially different start dates for each participant in the intervention phase. During the intervention phase, patients will receive five sessions of dry needling with IMES, one session per week for five weeks. The primary outcome measure will be headache frequency, i.e., the reduction in the number of headache days over a one-month period using electronic headache diary data from the Migraine Buddy smartphone application. Secondary outcome measures will be changes in mean migraine pain intensity using a numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), migraine disability using the Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS), the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), and changes in selected cervical musculoskeletal impairments including pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) over TrPs, the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT), and cervical active range of motion (AROM). Primary and secondary outcome measures will be analyzed separately using both visual and statistical analyses. Results: Actively recruiting participants. This project was approved by the Mass General Brigham Institutional Review Board (protocol #2023P000931) and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05893914). Conclusions: This study will seek to determine the effects of a five-week intervention period of IMES to TrPs in the posterior cervical muscles of subjects with chronic migraine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Perreault
- Department of Physical Therapy, Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH 03820, USA;
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielson
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, SMI, School of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (L.A.-N.); (C.F.-d.-l.-P.)
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Mech-Sense, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center North Denmark, Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, SMI, School of Medicine, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark; (L.A.-N.); (C.F.-d.-l.-P.)
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain
- Cátedra Institucional en Docencia, Clínica e Investigación en Fisioterapia-Terapia Manual, Punción Seca y Ejercicio Terapéutico, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jan Dommerholt
- Myopain Seminars, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Pablo Herrero
- IIS Aragon, Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Ryan Hubbard
- Department of Physical Therapy, Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH 03820, USA;
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Pérez-Bellmunt A, López-de-Celis C, Rodríguez-Sanz J, Hidalgo-García C, Donnelly JM, Cedeño-Bermúdez SA, Fernández-de-las-Peñas C. Dorsal dry needling to the pronator quadratus muscle is a safe and valid technique: A cadaveric study. Physiother Theory Pract 2022; 39:1033-1037. [PMID: 35098871 DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2031365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle is an important stabilizer of the distal radio-ulnar joint and its pain referral pattern can mimic median or ulnar neuropathy. Research on treatment safety and efficacy with dry needling is scarce. OBJECTIVE To determine if a solid filiform needle accurately and safely penetrates the PQ during simulated clinical application of dry needling. METHODS A cadaveric descriptive study was conducted. Needling insertion of PQ was performed in 10 cryopreserved forearms with a 30*0.32 mm solid filiform needle. With the forearm pronated, the needle was inserted 3 cm proximal to the ulnar styloid in an anterior direction toward the muscle. The needle was advanced into the PQ based upon clinician judgment. Safety was assessed by calculating the distance from the needle to the surrounding neurovascular bundles. RESULTS Accurate needle penetration of the PQ was observed in 90% of the cadavers (needle penetration: 19.8 ± 4.0 mm, 95%CI 17.0 to 22.6 mm). No neurovascular bundle was pierced during needling in any specimen forearms. The distance from the tip of the needle was 15.1 ± 4.8 mm (95%CI 11.7 to 18.5 mm) to the ulnar nerve, 15.6 ± 7.6 mm (95%CI 10.0 to 21 mm) to the ulnar artery, 11.2 ± 3.3 mm (95%CI 8.8 to 13.6 mm) to the median nerve, and 4.9 ± 1.4 mm (95%CI 3.9 to 5.9 mm) to the anterior interosseous neurovascular bundle. CONCLUSION The results from this cadaveric study support the assumption that needling of the PQ by the dorsal aspect of the forearm can be accurately and safely conducted by an experienced clinician. Studies investigating the clinical safety and effectiveness of this interventions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Pérez-Bellmunt
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Uic-barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
- ACTIUM Functional Anatomy Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos López-de-Celis
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Uic-barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
- ACTIUM Functional Anatomy Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Uic-barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
- ACTIUM Functional Anatomy Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - César Hidalgo-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Joseph M. Donnelly
- University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences- Miami Campus. Department of Physical Therapy, 1 University Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, USA
| | - Simón A Cedeño-Bermúdez
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Uic-barcelona), Barcelona, Spain
- ACTIUM Functional Anatomy Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
| | - César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Urjc), Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain
- Cátedra Institucional en Docencia, Clínica e Investigación en Fisioterapia: Terapia Manual, Punción Seca y Ejercicio Terapéutico, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain
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