Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on Strength Measurements and Activation Levels of the Gluteus Medius: A Quasi-Experimental Randomized Control Study.
Eric Schneider, Elizabeth S Moore, Rob Stanborough and 1 others
PMID 36518833WHAT IT FOUND
Needling latent trigger points in the gluteus medius of healthy adults increased strength immediately.
The muscle required less electrical activation to produce this greater force. However, soreness from the needling reduced strength in the untreated leg during the first test.
Key findings
01Strength measured by handheld dynamometer increased significantly on the needled side in both testing positions.
02Muscle activation (sEMG) decreased significantly on the needled side in the neutral position, suggesting the muscle worked more efficiently.
03Strength on the untreated control side decreased significantly in the neutral position, likely due to soreness affecting the first test trial.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study included only asymptomatic young adults, so results may not apply to patients with pain or hip pathology. Outcomes were measured immediately after treatment; long-term effects are unknown. The therapist applying the needling and measuring strength was not blinded, which introduces potential bias. Participants were not blinded to the treatment, so placebo effects cannot be ruled out. The study was underpowered compared to its own sample size calculation (39 analyzed vs 40 recruited vs 36 required for primary analysis, but the text notes 40 recruited and 39 analyzed).
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume the strength gains are due to the needling alone without considering the soreness effect. The untreated side lost strength in the first test, suggesting post-needling soreness can temporarily inhibit force production in the pelvis or hip, which might mask true deficits or alter gait mechanics immediately after treatment.