Effect of Dry Needling on miR-939 and miR-25 Serum Levels in Myofascial Pain Syndrome With Shoulder Girdle Myofascial Trigger Points

Micro-RNAs (miRs) affect the gene expression of the pain and inflammation mediators. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are one of the most common causes of skeletal and muscle pain. In this regard, dry needling (DN) was favored by physiotherapists as an effective method of treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of DN on serum concentration of miR-939 and miR-25 before and after the treatment in patients with muscular pain caused by MTrPs in their shoulder girdle muscles. Twenty patients with pain in their shoulders, upper limbs, along with heads and necks, who had 3-5 active MTrPs in their shoulder girdle muscles participated in the study. They were treated in 5 sessions with DN. One session was held per day every three days for 2 weeks. Before and after the treatment, the pain intensity of the patients was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), their peripheral blood samples were taken, and miR serum concentrations were estimated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Comparing pain intensity in patients revealed a significant reduction after the treatment (P<0.05). In addition, statistical analysis indicated up-regulation of miR-939 and miR-25 with a significant difference (P<0.05) after the treatment compared to the time before the treatment. According to the reduction in pain intensity and increased expression of miR-939 and miR-25 serum levels after treatment, it can be concluded that DN is an effective technique for treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis in shoulder girdle muscles.