Effects of dry needling in an exercise program for older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the dry needling (DN) approach on knee osteoarthritis (KO) patients. The study's aim was to evaluate the short-term efficacy of adding DN to a therapeutic exercise protocol in the treatment of KO in older adults. METHODS: A double-blind, pilot clinical trial with parallel groups [NCT02698072] was carried out for 12 weeks of treatment and follow-up. Twenty patients aged 65 years and older with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the muscles of the thigh were recruited from older-adult care centers and randomly assigned to a DN + Exercise group or a Sham-DN + Exercise group. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; primary outcome) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire (WOMAC) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The NRS (analysis of variance, ANOVA) showed statistically significant differences in the time factor (F = 53.038; P < .0001; η(p)(2) = 0.747). However, it did not show a significant change in the group–time interaction (F = 0.082; P = .777; η(p)(2) = 0.005). The WOMAC scores (ANOVA) showed statistically significant differences in the time factor for total score WOMAC questionnaire (F = 84.826; P < .0001; η(p)(2) = 0.825), WOMAC pain (F = 90.478; P < .0001; η(p)(2) = 0.834), WOMAC stiffness (F = 14.556; P < .001; η(p)(2) = 0.447), and WOMAC function (F = 70.872; P < .0001; η(p)(2) = 0.797). However, it did not show a statistically significant change in the group–time interaction. CONCLUSION: Despite the pain intensity and disability clinically relevant improvement for both DN and Sham-DN combined with exercise, 6 sessions of DN added to a therapeutic exercise program for older adults with KO did not seem to improve pain intensity and functionality.