effect of quadratus lumborum dry needling on gluteus medius force, patellofemoral joint pain and function in patellofemoral pain

Objective: To compare the effects of conventional treatment alone and combined with quadratus lumborum dry needling on maximal isometric force of the gluteus medius, knee pain and function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Patients and Methods: Participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome (N=56) were randomly assigned to intervention (conventional +dry needling) and control (conventional) groups. Both groups underwent conventional physiotherapy for 6 sessions (three times a week for 2 weeks). Besides the above intervention, the intervention group underwent quadratus lumborum dry needling for 3 sessions. Pain (Visual analog scale), function (Kujala score) and maximal isometric force of gluteus medius were recorded at baseline, immediately after the first and sixth session. Analysis of variance (2groups*3times) was used to compare within- and between-group differences.

 Results: At baseline, no variable showed significant differences between groups (P>0.05). The six-session treatment led to a significant reduction in pain intensity and function and improvement of maximal isometric force of gluteus medius in both groups compared to baseline and immediately after the first session (p <0.05). However, there were no significant differences in all variables immediately after the first session compared to baseline (P>0.05). The intergroup comparison showed no significant differences in all variables between two groups after six sessions.

Conclusions: The current study shows that conventional physiotherapy combined with quadratus lumborum dry needling cannot lead to a further reduction in pain and improvement of maximal isometric force of the gluteus medius and function in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome.