Dry needling of the flexor digitorum brevis muscle reduces postural control in standing: A pre-post stabilometric study

J Anat. 2023 Sep;243(3):545-554. doi: 10.1111/joa.13862. Epub 2023 Mar 16.

Abstract

There are studies that show the better balance after dry needling in lumbar pain. However, the postural control effects after foot dry needling are unknown. Our objective was to check if dry needling reduces postural control. Eighteen subjects with flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) muscle Myofascial trigger point were evaluated pre- and post-deep dry needling. We measured stabilometric variables in a pre-post study. We have found significant differences in three stabilometric variables: surface with eyes closed (29.36-53.21 mm2 ) (p = 0.000), medium speed of the laterolateral displacement with eyes closed (1.42-1.64 mm/s) (p = 0.004), and medium speed of the anteroposterior displacement with eyes closed (1.30-1.53 mm/s) (p = 0.025). Dry needling therapy application in FDB muscle reduces standing postural control with eyes closed.

Keywords: motor control; myofascial trigger point; physical therapy modalities; postural balance; stabilometry.

MeSH terms

  • Dry Needling* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes* / physiopathology
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes* / therapy
  • Postural Balance*
  • Standing Position
  • Trigger Points*