Introduction: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the
antispastic efficacy of dry needling in combination with botulinum
toxin-A injections.
Methods: Thirty stroke patients with elbow flexor spasticity were
randomised into two groups; the patients treated with botulinum
toxin-A injections and exercise into the BTX-A group, and patients
treated with botulinum toxin-A injections, exercise, and dry needling
in the BTX-A+Dry needling group. Spasticity was evaluated using the
modified Ashworth scale and modified Tardieu scale before treatment,
immediately after treatment, the third day after treatment, second
week after treatment and at the third month after treatment. The upper
extremity motor function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer upper
extremity motor function scale.
Results: A statistically significant difference in all parameters was found
after treatment in both groups compared to before treatment (p<0.05).
In all evaluation parameters immediately after treatment, on the third
day after treatment, the second week after treatment and the third
month after treatment, a statistically significant difference in favour
of the BTX-A+Dry needling group was achieved compared to before
treatment (p<0.05)
Conclusion: Dry needling combined with botulinum toxin-A injections
performed over a total of four sessions with three-day intervals,
contribute to the antispastic effect. Also combined therapy is more
effective and provides longer-lasting results.
Keywords: Stroke, hemiplegia, muscle spasticity, botulinum toxins, dry
needling