To compare the effectiveness of the dry needling Versus instrumented assisted soft tisse mobilization Technique on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis – a comparative study

Abstract

Background: Scapular dyskinesis, a term denoting dysfunctional movement of the scapula, often involves the upper trapezius (UT) muscle, which is frequently affected by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Common symptoms associated with MTrPs in the UT muscle include tense and painful muscles, tension headaches, neck pain, dizziness or vertigo, and restricted range of motion in the neck and shoulder. Dry needling, a technique used to address MTrPs, targets localized hypersensitive spots within palpable taut muscle bands. Another therapeutic approach, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), is widely utilized for addressing myofascial restrictions. As college students carry heavy backpacks, their scapular stabilizer muscle may become weaken due to continuous stress. Hence this study was undertaken to find out the effectiveness of either dry needling or IASTM in case of scapular dyskinesia with trapezitis among college students. Purpose of the Study: Aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling versus IASTM on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis. The objectives were to determine the effect of dry needling on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis,to determine the effect of IASTM technique on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis, and to compare the effectiveness of dry needling versus IASTM technique on scapular dyskinesia in college students with trapezitis. Methods: A comparative study was conducted in M.B. Gohil Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, College of Physiotherapy, Navsari (OPD) on 40 college students including both males and females of navsari district based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Outcomes of the study, that is dynamic scapular motion test, pressure pain threshold scale (PPTS), lateral scapular slide test (LSST), and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) were assessed for each college students with prior inform consent form signed by the participant. A statistical analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy of dry needling and the IASTM Tool. Outcome measures: (1) NPRS PPTS, (2) dynamic scapular motion test, (3) LSST;. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 20 software. Results: In the study, within- group comparisons showed a significant improvement in NPRS, PPTS, LSST of group-a and group-b (p value <0.005), whereas between groups there was no significant difference found, that is, dry needling and IASTM yielded comparable outcomes for active MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle. Conclusion: This research indicates that dry needling and IASTM using the myorelease tool may produce similar outcomes for active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. These effects encompass a decrease in pain intensity, elevation of the pressure pain threshold, and enhancement of LSST.