Aims: To compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection vs dry needling (DN) for management of trigger points in the masseter muscle in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) patients.
Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 30 clinically confirmed cases of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the masseter muscle who were randomly and equally (1:1) assigned to the test (PRP) and control (DN) groups. Both groups were evaluated for pain (visual analog scale [VAS]), range of functional movements, need for pain medication, patient satisfaction (Likert scale), and sleep (VAS) at baseline and 2-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups. VAS pain and Likert score were also obtained at 6-month intervals.
Results: The use of PRP solution in MTrPs in MPS patients had a better effect on pain and patient satisfaction compared to DN.
Conclusion: PRP appears to be a more effective treatment modality compared to DN in the management of MTrPs in MPS patients.
Keywords: dry needling, masseter muscle, myofascial pain syndrome, plateletrich plasma, trigger points
