• Shima Ghannadi, Ardalan Shariat, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Zahra Tavakol, Roshanak Honarpishe, Jan Dommerholt, Pardis Noormohammadpour, and Lee Ingle.
• Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Jun 1; 29 (6): 104814.

BackgroundSpasticity is one of the main complications in poststroke survivors leading to difficulties in walking and standing resulting in high levels of disability.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the effects of deep dry needling on lower limb dysfunction in poststroke spastic patients.MethodsA randomized clinical trial conducted in poststroke survivors who were assigned to one of 2 groups: Deep dry needling (intervention group) and sham dry needling (control group). The primary outcome measures were Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS) and functional tests (timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test). Secondary outcome measures were active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (AROM), passive ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (PROM), single leg stance test, and Barthel index. All measurements were assessed at baseline (T0), immediately after the third session 1 week later (T1), and 1 month after the end of the intervention (T2).ResultsWe recruited 24 patients (71% male; mean age 57 ± 10 years; 26.4 ± 1.8 kg•m-2; time since event: 25.2 ± 12.5 months). There were significant improvements in MMAS, timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test, Barthel scale, and PROM (P < .05) in the intervention group compared to controls across the time-points. There were no significant improvements in AROM assessments (P > .05).ConclusionsDeep dry needling decreases muscle spasticity and improves lower limb function and gait speed in poststroke survivors.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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