The Effect of Dry Needling of Trigger Points in Forearm’s Extensor Muscles on the Grip Force, Pain and Function of Athletes with Chronic Tennis Elbow

Background: tennis elbow syndrome (tes) is mainly known by having pain in the external side of the elbow. physiotherapy plays an effective role in the treatment of this syndrome. dry needling is a less invasive, novel, and inexpensive method that shows its therapeutic effects in a shorter time in comparison with the other physiotherapy methods. effect on tough bands, circulation, and environmental and central neurophysiological effects are some mechanisms by which dry needling poses its effects. the aim of this study was to study the effect of adding dry needling to routine physiotherapy methods in order to improve grip strength and function and reduce pain, as well as to decrease costs and treatment duration for treating tennis elbow syndrome. methods: forty four athletes aged 18 to 40 years old who had exercise or match for at least 3 sessions per week (for a sum of 6 hours per week), and were detected to have tennis elbow syndrome lasting more than 3 months were recognized and classified into two groups. the first group received physiotherapy including ultrasound, deep friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises. the second group received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy treatment. therapeutic duration was 3 weeks in each group and 3 sessions in each week. the patient rate elbow evaluation questionnaire (pree) was completed at the beginning of treatment and the beginning of the second and third weeks, as well as at the end of the third week; grip strength was measured at the mentioned times as well. one week after the end of the therapeutic period, patients were reevaluated for the reliability rate of the treatment outcomes. for analysis of data obtained for the study, repeated measure test, mixed anova, and paired t-test statistical tests were used. results: results showed that all evaluated variables (including pain, function, and grip strength) were improved in the patients of both groups after completion of the therapeutic period (p<0.0001). comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference in the pain variable at the seventh session with p<0.0001, the ninth session with p=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with p<0.001, and the performance variable at seventh sessions with p<0.0001, ninth sessions with p=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with p<0.0001, respectively. the pain reduction and function increase rates were higher in the group that received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy in comparison with the group that received physiotherapy after the seventh session. regarding background: tennis elbow syndrome (tes) is mainly known by having pain in the external side of the elbow. physiotherapy plays an effective role in the treatment of this syndrome. dry needling is a less invasive, novel, and inexpensive method that shows its therapeutic effects in a shorter time in comparison with the other physiotherapy methods. effect on tough bands, circulation, and environmental and central neurophysiological effects are some mechanisms by which dry needling poses its effects. the aim of this study was to study the effect of adding dry needling to routine physiotherapy methods in order to improve grip strength and function and reduce pain, as well as to decrease costs and treatment duration for treating tennis elbow syndrome. methods: forty four athletes aged 18 to 40 years old who had exercise or match for at least 3 sessions per week (for a sum of 6 hours per week), and were detected to have tennis elbow syndrome lasting more than 3 months were recognized and classified into two groups. the first group received physiotherapy including ultrasound, deep friction massage, and muscle stretching and strengthening exercises. the second group received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy treatment. therapeutic duration was 3 weeks in each group and 3 sessions in each week. the patient rate elbow evaluation questionnaire (pree) was completed at the beginning of treatment and the beginning of the second and third weeks, as well as at the end of the third week; grip strength was measured at the mentioned times as well. one week after the end of the therapeutic period, patients were reevaluated for the reliability rate of the treatment outcomes. for analysis of data obtained for the study, repeated measure test, mixed anova, and paired t-test statistical tests were used. results: results showed that all evaluated variables (including pain, function, and grip strength) were improved in the patients of both groups after completion of the therapeutic period (p<0.0001). comparison of the two groups showed a significant difference in the pain variable at the seventh session with p<0.0001, the ninth session with p=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with p<0.001, and the performance variable at seventh sessions with p<0.0001, ninth sessions with p=0.006, and one week after the end of treatment with p<0.0001, respectively. the pain reduction and function increase rates were higher in the group that received dry needling in addition to physiotherapy in comparison with the group that received physiotherapy after the seventh session. regarding