• Yuan-Ting Huang, Shun-Yuan Lin, Choo-Aun Neoh, Kuo-Yang Wang, Yen-Hsuan Jean, and Hon-Yi Shi.
• Nursing Department, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China.
• J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Aug 1; 17 (8): 755-62.

ObjectivesThe study objectives were to evaluate outcomes in patients who have received dry needling treatments and to identify predictors of pain and disability.DesignThe study was a prospective cohort follow-up design.SettingThe study was conducted at the Pain Clinic at Pingtung Christian Hospital, Taiwan.SubjectsNinety-two (92) patients sick-listed for 3 months or longer for myofascial pain syndrome.InterventionsFrom February to October 2008, participants were treated at the pain clinic with dry needling of trigger points and muscle stretches of the involved muscles.Outcome MeasuresData were collected by self-administered questionnaires to assess changes in pain intensity and pain interference. Data collection was performed at baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Sociodemographic variables, symptom characteristics, and baseline outcome measures were analyzed using generalized estimating equation methodology.ResultsThe proposed dry-needling protocol reduced pain intensity and pain interference. Long duration of pain symptoms, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress were associated with poor outcomes.ConclusionsDry needling is an effective treatment for reducing pain and pain interference. However, long pain duration, high pain intensity, poor quality of sleep, and repetitive stress are associated with poor outcomes. Treatment outcome depends not only on the dry needling protocol, but also on disease characteristics and patient demographic profile.

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