Comparison of 3 Needle Sizes for Trigger Point Injection in Myofascial Pain Syndrome of Upper- and Middle-Trapezius Muscle: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials flow chart of the study. TPI, trigger point injection.

Mean changes of VAS score at pre- (day 0) and post- (days 1, 4, 7, 14) treatment. A negative change indicates a more favorable result. There were significant differences of VAS score at posttreatment on days 4, 7, 14 compared with pretreatment in all groups. There were no significant differences between 3 different needle size groups at pre- and posttreatment on days 1, 4, 7, 14. No statistically significant differences between 3 different needle size groups at pre- and posttreatment on days 1, 4, 7, 14 (P>.05). Mean values and SE are shown. *Statistically significant difference compared with pretreatment (P<.013).

Mean changes of NDI score at pre- (day 0) and posttreatment (days 7, 14). A negative change indicates a more favorable result. There were significant differences of NDI score at posttreatment on days 7, 14 compared with pretreatment in all groups. There were no significant differences between 3 different needle size groups at pre- and posttreatment on days 7, 14. No statistically significant differences between 3 different needle size groups at pre- and posttreatment on days 7, 14 (P>.05). Mean values and SE are shown. *Statistically significant difference compared with pretreatment (P<.025).

Mean changes of SF-36 at pre- (day 0) and posttreatment (days 7, 14). A positive change indicates a more favorable result. There were significant differences in SF-36 score at posttreatment on days 7, 14 compared with pretreatment in the 21- and 23-gauge needle groups. But in the 25-gauge needle groups, there was no difference in SF-36 score at posttreatment on days 7, 14. There were no significant differences between 3 different needle size groups at pre- and posttreatment on day 7. There were significant differences between the 21- and 25-gauge needle groups at posttreatment on day 14. Mean values and SE are shown. *Statistically significant difference compared with pretreatment (P<.025). ^†Statistically significant difference between the 21- and 25-gauge needle group on day 14 (P<.05).