Effects of trigger point dry needling on pain, strength, and functional status among patients with anterior knee pain: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction The objective of this study was to assess the effects of trigger point dry needling on pain, strength, and functional status among patients with anterior knee pain. Methods This randomised controlled trial was conducted in the physical therapy department, Memon Medical Institute Hospital. Thirty patients, both male and female, between the ages of 20–45 years, participated. They were randomly divided into two groups through the sealed envelope method. Stretching and strengthening exercises were given to both groups; moreover, the experimental group underwent dry needling. The primary outcomes were pain intensity, knee range of motion, and muscle strength measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), goniometry, and manual muscle testing. The secondary outcomes were disability measured by the Kujala score and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). The assessment was done at baseline and after the second and fourth weeks. The Shapiro–Wilk test determined the normality, and the Mann–Whitney and an independent sample <i>t</i>-test were used to compare the variables. Results The average age of participants was 33.8 years, and the study includes 46.7% males and 53.3% females. The Mann–Whitney and an independent sample t-test showed that every participant in the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in their functional status, muscle strength, pain, and knee ranges (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No significant differences were reported for the range of motion of left knee flexion, or strength of the left quadriceps muscles (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Conclusions This randomised controlled trial shows that both techniques are effective for the treatment of anterior knee pain; however, the dry needling technique is a clinically more effective treatment approach to decreasing pain and improving muscle strength, knee ranges and functional status in patients.