Investigation of the efficacy of dry needling added to physical therapy in supraspinatus tendinopathy

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) in addition to conventional physical therapy and rehabilitation (PTR) program in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy presenting with shoulder pain. Patients and Methods: Our study was designed as a single-center, prospective, observational study. Between November 2023 and January 2024, 64 patients diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinopathy were included in our study. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1, in which DN and conventional PTR program were applied together, and group 2, in which only conventional PTR program was applied. Primary endpoint of our study was shoulder pain [visual analog scale (VAS)] and secondary outcome measurements were shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), passive shoulder range of motion (ROM), handgrip (HG) strength, Tampa kinesiophobia scale (TKS), supraspinatus tendon and muscle thickness. These parameters were evaluated at the beginning, 1st and 3rd months. Independent sample t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test were used to compare quantitative data. Two-way ANOVA test was used for repeated measurements of the participants. Results: month (p=0.029). There was also a statistically significant increase in supraspinatus tendon thickness in partial tear patients in group 1 (p<0.001). Conclusion: month after treatment.