Dry Needling Versus Kinesiotaping for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Myofascial pain syndrome involving the upper trapezius is a common musculoskeletal problem in adult males and is frequently associated with active trigger points, increased pain sensitivity, and changes in muscle structure. Objective: To compare the effects of dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping on pressure pain threshold and muscle thickness in males with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. Methodology: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial included 60 male participants presenting with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Participants were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Group 1 underwent dry needling, Group 2 received inhibitory Kinesio taping, and Group 3 acted as the control group without intervention. Pressure pain threshold was measured using a pressure algometer, while ultrasound imaging was used to determine muscle thickness. Participants were excluded if they had a previous cervical spine surgery, neurological disease, systemic inflammatory condition, bleeding disorder, or were using anticoagulant drugs. Outcomes were recorded at baseline, on the 5th day after intervention, and again on the 10th day. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and baseline data. Repeated-measure ANOVA was used to examine changes within groups and differences between groups over time. Results: Both the dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pressure pain threshold following intervention (p<0.001) and significant reductions in upper trapezius muscle thickness (p<0.05). Both interventions were superior to the control group, which showed no significant changes in either outcome. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups. Conclusion: Dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping were both beneficial in decreasing pain sensitivity and reducing muscle thickness in males with active trigger points in the upper trapezius. Despite differences in therapeutic approach, both interventions produced comparable clinical effects.