Ultrasound-Guided Miniscalpel-Needle Release versus Dry Needling for Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract EN

Objective.

To compare ultrasound-guided miniscalpel-needle (UG-MSN) release versus ultrasound-guided dry needling (UG-DN) for chronic neck pain.

Methods.

A total of 169 patients with chronic neck pain were randomized to receive either UG-MSN release or UG-DN.

Before treatment and at 3 and 6 months posttreatment, pain was measured using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS).

Neck function was examined using the neck disability index.

Health-related quality of life was examined using the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of the SF-36 health status scale.

Results.

Patients in the UG-MSN release had greater improvement on the VAS (by 2 points at 3 months and 0.9 points at 6 months) versus in the UG-DN arm; (both P<0.0001).

Patients receiving UG-MSN release also showed significantly lower scores on the adjusted neck disability index, as well as significantly lower PCS.

No severe complications were observed.

Conclusion.

UG-MSN release was superior to UG-DN in reducing pain intensity and neck disability in patients with chronic neck pain and was not associated with severe complications.

The procedural aspects in the two arms were identical; however, we did not verify the blinding success.

As such, the results need to be interpreted with caution.