Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by trigger points (TrPs): hypersensitive spots in taut muscle bands that impair function and cause pain. Dry needling (DN) is a common treatment in humans, but evidence in horses is limited. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of DN...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Maria Calatayud-Bonilla Jorge U. Carmona Marta Prades |
| author_facet | Maria Calatayud-Bonilla Jorge U. Carmona Marta Prades |
| author_sort | Maria Calatayud-Bonilla |
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| description | Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by trigger points (TrPs): hypersensitive spots in taut muscle bands that impair function and cause pain. Dry needling (DN) is a common treatment in humans, but evidence in horses is limited. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of DN in reducing TrP-related pain in the brachiocephalic muscle of horses. Of the 98 horses enrolled, 66 were allocated to a treatment group receiving weekly DN sessions for three weeks, while 32 were assigned to a control group with no intervention. Pain and function were assessed using pressure algometry, a numerical rating scale (NRS), a functional total test score (FTTS), and behavioral indicators including jump sign (JS), equine pain face (EPF), and local twitch responses (LTRs). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 0, 4, 24, and 72 h post-intervention. Results indicate a significant increase in pressure pain thresholds (<i>p</i> < 0.001), especially after the second and third sessions. Both NRS and FTTS improved significantly over time (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and LTRs progressively decreased. EPF and JS showed minimal variation. These results support the use of DN to reduce local muscle pain and improve function in horses with TrPs. Further robust studies are warranted to refine protocols and investigate long-term effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9e4fa74857c42a6b170eadee3f3fe8c |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c9e4fa74857c42a6b170eadee3f3fe8c2025-08-20T03:36:32ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011515220710.3390/ani15152207Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled StudyMaria Calatayud-Bonilla0Jorge U. Carmona1Marta Prades2Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, SpainGrupo de Investigación Terapia Regenerativa, Departmento de Salud Animal, Universidad de Caldas, 170004 Manizales, ColombiaDepartment of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), 08193 Barcelona, SpainMyofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is caused by trigger points (TrPs): hypersensitive spots in taut muscle bands that impair function and cause pain. Dry needling (DN) is a common treatment in humans, but evidence in horses is limited. This prospective, controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of DN in reducing TrP-related pain in the brachiocephalic muscle of horses. Of the 98 horses enrolled, 66 were allocated to a treatment group receiving weekly DN sessions for three weeks, while 32 were assigned to a control group with no intervention. Pain and function were assessed using pressure algometry, a numerical rating scale (NRS), a functional total test score (FTTS), and behavioral indicators including jump sign (JS), equine pain face (EPF), and local twitch responses (LTRs). Assessments were performed at baseline and at 0, 4, 24, and 72 h post-intervention. Results indicate a significant increase in pressure pain thresholds (<i>p</i> < 0.001), especially after the second and third sessions. Both NRS and FTTS improved significantly over time (<i>p</i> < 0.001), and LTRs progressively decreased. EPF and JS showed minimal variation. These results support the use of DN to reduce local muscle pain and improve function in horses with TrPs. Further robust studies are warranted to refine protocols and investigate long-term effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2207horsetrigger pointpainpalpationalgometrydry needling |
| spellingShingle | Maria Calatayud-Bonilla Jorge U. Carmona Marta Prades Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study Animals horse trigger point pain palpation algometry dry needling |
| title | Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study |
| title_full | Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study |
| title_fullStr | Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study |
| title_short | Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling on Myofascial Trigger Points in Horses: A Prospective Algometric Controlled Study |
| title_sort | clinical effectiveness of dry needling on myofascial trigger points in horses a prospective algometric controlled study |
| topic | horse trigger point pain palpation algometry dry needling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2207 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariacalatayudbonilla clinicaleffectivenessofdryneedlingonmyofascialtriggerpointsinhorsesaprospectivealgometriccontrolledstudy AT jorgeucarmona clinicaleffectivenessofdryneedlingonmyofascialtriggerpointsinhorsesaprospectivealgometriccontrolledstudy AT martaprades clinicaleffectivenessofdryneedlingonmyofascialtriggerpointsinhorsesaprospectivealgometriccontrolledstudy |