• Ferrer-Peña R
• Calvo-Lobo C
• Gómez M
• Muñoz-García D

• Acupuncture Therapy / methods
• Affiliation / Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle. Instituto de Neurociencias y Ciencias del Movimiento. Departamento de Fisioterapia and Motion in Brains Research Group
• Affiliation / Universidad de León, Ponferrada. Institute of Biomedicine. Nursing and Physical Therapy Department
• Affiliation(G) / Spain / León / Ponferrada
• Affiliation(G) / Spain / Madrid
• Dry Needling
• Median Nerve
• Median Neuropathy / prevention and control
• Myofascial Pain Syndromes / therapy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to relate forearm anthropometric measures to ultrasound pronator teres depth to determine the necessary needle length to prevent median nerve (MN) injury during pronator teres dry needling.

METHODS: We conducted a study employing a diagnostic accuracy prediction model (NCT03308279) at a Spanish university center. The study recruited 65 participants to predict the depth of the MN (measured with ultrasound) in the pronator teres using a decision tree algorithm to reduce the risk of MN puncture using 2 needle lengths (13 mm or 25 mm). The decision tree was developed by automatically selecting a cutoff for body mass index, forearm length and circumference, and pronator teres thickness.

RESULTS: For forearm circumferences ≤27.5 cm, the predictive value for the 13-mm needle was 92%. For forearm circumferences >27.5 cm and forearm lengths ≤26.75 cm, the predictive value for the 25-mm needle was 100%.

CONCLUSION: Based upon the findings of this study, we suggest that needle length should be selected according to forearm anthropometric measures to prevent MN injury during pronator teres dry needling.

Author keywords: Acupuncture, Median Nerve, Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Rehabilitation

Author affiliations: RFP, MG, DMG: Departamento de Fisioterapia and Motion in Brains Research Group, Instituto de Neurociencias y Ciencias del Movimiento, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. CCL: Nursing and Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de León, Ponferrada, León, Spain

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