Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the length of the step during one cycle heel-to-heel and the time wasted to complete this cycle after one session of myofascial release of Dry Needling technique (DN).

Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) usually leads to alterations in posture, making this population prone to stooped posture, which can affect the gait parameters such as length of the steps and an increase of the time to complete one gait cycle. DN is a myofascial release technique that has been reported to provide an immediate effect by decreasing muscle tightness and lead to restoration of range of motion by using needles to stimulate hypersensitive and painful nodules in the muscles called trigger points (TP).

Method: Two groups, the DN group (n=8) and the Sham group (n=8) consisting of people with PD stages range 1 to 3 at the Hoehn and Yahr scale were included in this study. Gait was assessed two times: before and immediately after the DN intervention. This assessment was the recording of the gait at a gait analysis lab for later analysis. The intervention was a 30-minute myofascial release of TP at upper trapezius muscles bilaterally with the DN technique. The main gait parameters assessed were the length of the step and the time, using Kinovea software in a gait analysis lab.

Results: Preliminary findings suggest that DN intervention may have beneficial effects on gait parameters in individuals with PD. Specifically, there was a trend towards increased step length and reduced time to complete one gait cycle following the intervention.Paired t-tests revealed no significant difference between groups before and after the intervention (p=0.261; t=1.168; df=15).Additionally, there was no significant difference in step time (p=0.138), although a trend towards a decrease in this parameter was observed in the DN group. However, within the DN group, there was a significant difference in step length after the intervention (p=0.005), whereas no difference was found in the Sham group (p=0.011)

Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the potential efficacy of myofascial release using DN as a therapeutic intervention to improve gait in individuals with PD. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols and exploring its long-term effects on gait  in this population.

References: Hughes, A.J.; Daniel, S.E.; Kilford, L.; Lees, A.J. Accuracy of clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease: a clinico-pathological study of 100 cases. Journal of neurology, neurosurgery & psychiatry 55, 181–184 (1992).
Opara, J.A.; Małecki, A.; Małecka, E.; Socha, T. Motor assessment in Parkinsons disease. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine. 24(3), 411-415 (2017)
Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for musculoskeletal conditions by physical therapists: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2017;47(3):133–49
Boyce, D.; Wempe, H.; Campbell, C., et al. Adverse events associated with therapeutic dry needling. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 15, 103-113 (2020).

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-impact-of-myofascial-release-using-dry-needling-on-gait-in-parkinsons-disease-a-pilot-study/