LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To investigate the short-term effects of dry needling (DN) on physical function, pain and hip muscle strength in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN A double-blind, placebo-control, randomized clinical trial. SETTING Private practice physiotherapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS Patients with unilateral hip OA (N=45) were randomly allocated to DN group, sham DN group or control group. INTERVENTIONS Patients in the DN and sham groups received three treatment sessions. Three active Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) were treated in each session with DN or sham needle procedure. The treatment was applied in active MTrPs of the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, tensor fasciae latae and gluteus minimus muscles. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Physical function was assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) physical function subscale, the Timed Up & Go test and the 40-m self-paced walk test. Intensity of hip pain related to physical function was evaluated using visual analogue scale and WOMAC pain subscale. The maximal isometric force of hip muscles was recorded with a handheld dynamometer. RESULTS Significant group by time interactions were shown for physical function, pain and hip muscle force variables. Post hoc tests revealed a significant reduction in hip pain and significant improvements in physical function and hip muscle strength in DN group compared to sham and control groups. DN groups showed within and between groups large effect sizes (d >.8). CONCLUSION DN therapy in active MTrPs of the hip muscles reduced pain and improved hip muscle strength and physical function in patients with hip OA. DN in active MTrPs of the hip muscles should be considered for the management of hip OA.