Table 1.
Changes in the Mechanical Heterogeneity Index and Pressure-Pain Threshold for Active Myofascial Trigger Points From Baseline to the 3-Week Follow-up After a 3-Week Course of Dry Needling
| MTrP Status at 3 wk | Age, y | n | Male | Female | Variable | Baseline Mean (95% CI) | 3-wk Follow-up Mean (95% CI) | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All treated | 35 ± 13 | 48 | 18 | 30 | MHI | 0.16 (0.14–0.18) | 0.13 (0.11–0.15) | .008 |
| PPT | 7.20 (6.27–8.13) | 9.00 (8.01–9.99) | <.001 | |||||
| Responded (active MTrP to latent MTrP or normal) | 37 ± 14 | 38 | 14 | 24 | MHI | 0.17 (0.15–0.19) | 0.13 (0.11–0.15) | .010 |
| PPT | 7.30 (6.31–8.29) | 9.10 (7.96–10.24) | <.001 | |||||
| Did not respond | 33 ± 11 | 10 | 4 | 6 | MHI | 0.14 (0.08–0.24) | 0.12 (0.07–0.19) | .42 |
| PPT | 6.90 (4.28–9.32) | 7.80 (5.82–9.78) | .27 | |||||
| Responded but did not resolve (active MTrP to latent MTrP) | 37 ± 14 | 25 | 9 | 16 | MHI | 0.19 (0.17–0.21) | 0.14 (0.12–0.17) | .007 |
| PPT | 6.80 (5.94–7.66) | 8.80 (7.47–10.13) | .008 | |||||
| Resolved (active MTrP to normal) | 35 ± 11 | 13 | 5 | 8 | MHI | 0.13 (0.1–0.16) | 0.11 (0.09–0.15) | .51 |
| PPT | 8.30 (5.96–10.64) | 10.10 (8.09–12.11) | .02 |
Data are presented as mean ± SD where applicable. MHI indicates mechanical heterogeneity index; MTrP, myofascial trigger point, and PPT, pressure-pain threshold.