PERBANDINGAN EFEKTIVITAS DRY NEEDLING DAN DEEP FRICTION MASSAGE TERHADAP UKURAN TRIGGER POINT, TINGKAT NYERI, DAN RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) PADA PASIEN LOW BACK PAIN (LBP) = COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DRY NEEDLING AND DEEP FRICTION MASSAGE ON TRIGGER POINT SIZE, PAIN LEVEL AND RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) IN LOW BACK PAIN (LBP) PATIENTS

Mujaddidah Yuharti. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling and Deep Friction Massage on Pain Level, Trigger Point Size, and Range of Motion (ROM) in Low Back Pain (LBP) Patients. (Supervised by Aryadi Arsyad and Andi Aryandy) Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder causing pain, muscle spasms, and restricted range of motion (ROM). This study evaluates the effectiveness of Dry Needling and Deep Friction Massage in modifying trigger point size, reducing pain, and improving ROM in LBP patients using a muscle ultrasound-based approach. Methods: Thirty-two LBP patients were divided into two groups (n=16 each): the DN group received dry needling, and the DFM group underwent deep friction massage. Outcome measures included pain assessment via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ROM evaluation with a goniometer, and trigger point size measurement using ultrasonography. Results:Neither the DN (0.48±0.51) nor the DFM (0.27±0.29) group showed significant trigger point size reduction (p>0.05). However, the DN group exhibited a greater reduction. Both DN (3.31±0.81) and DFM (2.19±0.54) significantly reduced pain (p<0.05). No significant ROM improvements were observed in flexion, extension, lateral flexion, or rotation (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both DN and DFM effectively reduce pain in LBP patients. DN showed superior pain reduction and faster muscle relaxation. While both interventions influenced trigger point size and ROM, DN had a greater impact.