Published online Oct 18, 2021. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v12.i10.781
Peer-review started: February 26, 2021
First decision: May 3, 2021
Revised: May 3, 2021
Accepted: August 4, 2021
Article in press: August 4, 2021
Published online: October 18, 2021
Dry needling (DN) has shown no additional improvements compared with placebo in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Previous evidence suggested that percutaneous electrolysis could be more effective than DN for managing musculoskeletal pain. However, evidence is limited regarding its efficacy in different conditions and locations.
The efficacy of percutaneous electrolysis compared with DN in patients with unilateral PFPS for improving pain pressure thresholds, subjective anterior knee pain perception and perceived pain during interventions were assessed.
A parallel-group, controlled, triple-blinded, randomized pilot clinical trial was conducted to compare high-intensity percutaneous electrolysis, low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis and DN applied to the most active myofascial trigger points located in the rectus femoris.
Both percutaneous electrolysis modalities induced similar short-term effects on pain perception and sensitivity in patients with unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome. However, percutaneous electrolysis was better tolerated compared with DN.
Percutaneous electrolysis could be a potential less-painful alternative to DN for reducing pain in patients with unilateral PFPS.
Further research including larger sample sizes, number of sessions and longer follow-up is needed.