Issue 25-4, 2026

Original article

https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-4-27-34

Dry Needling Versus Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization with Cervical Mobilization for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study

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ORCIDRahmat Nugraha*, Latifa Insani Nurhalim, Sudaryanto, Hasbiah, Tiar Erawan

Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia


ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION. Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) Upper is a chronic condition caused by the activation of trigger points in muscle fibers that cause neck pain and discomfort. Prolonged pain and tightness resulting in limitation of lateral flexion and cervical rotation.

AIM. To determine the difference effect between Dry needling and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) on the application of Unilateral down glide on reducing pain and increasing cervical Range of Motion (ROM) in the condition of upper trapezius MPS Physiotherapy Department Students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study is a quasi-experimental with a randomized pre-test post-test two group design, involving 30 samples according to the criteria and randomized into 2 groups. This study was conducted at Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Makassar, Indonesia. Data collection and intervention were carried out between February and May 2025. The first treatment group is given Dry needling and Unilateral down glide intervention, and the second treatment group is given IASTM and Unilateral down glide. Data was collected through measurement of tenderness using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and measurement of ROM using a goniometer.

RESULTS. Based on the independent sample t-test for the NRS scale, the value of p = 0.251 (mean difference of 4.07 1st group > 3.33 2nd group), and for cervical ROM, the value of p = 0.630 for rotation (mean difference of 24.13 2nd group > 21.87 1st group), p = 0.661 for lateral flexion (mean difference of 13.67 2nd group > 12.47 1st group).

DISCUSSION. This study indicates that Dry needling intervention can produce a greater reduction in pain than IASTM, while IASTM can produce a greater increase in cervical ROM than Dry needling, although statistically there is no significant difference between both groups.

CONCLUSION. There is no superior group between two groups. Dry Needling and Unilateral Down Glide interventions group have more effect on reducing pain, while IASTM and Unilateral down glide interventions group have more effect on increasing cervical ROM in upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome.


KEYWORDS: dry needling, unilateral down glide, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, pain, cervical ROM, myofascial pain syndrome upper trapezius

FOR CITATION: Nugraha R., Nurhalim L.I., Sudaryanto, Hasbiah, Erawan T. Dry Needling Versus Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization with Cervical Mobilization for Upper Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2026; 25(4):27–34. https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-4-27-34

FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Rahmat Nugraha, E-mail: rahmatnugraha@poltekkes-mks.ac.id


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This is an open article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology.