Previous studies have suggested either shockwave therapy or dry needling is an effective method for the treatment of spasticity. However no previous study compared these two treatments on spasticity in poststroke patients. This study was performed to compare the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and dry needing on upper limb spasticity. Twenty voluntaries to the stroke patients with upper extremity spasticity were randomly assigned in two groups of treatment A and B. Patients in group A received one session of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on biceps brachii muscle in which 6,000 impulses were given at 0.06–0.07 mJ/mm2 (1.2–1.4 bar) at 18 Hz on the biceps brachii muscle bulk. Patients in group B received one session of dry needling on biceps brachii muscle trigger points with the rapid entry and rapid exit for one minute. Demographic information of the patients was recorded. The modified Ashworth Scale was used to evaluate the spasticity of the patients. Individuals with an average age of 77.70 and 15.25 years participated in group A, and individuals with an average age of 72.40 and 12.47 years in group B. While the affected side on the upper extremity was 4 people in group A, it was recorded as 5 people in group B. According to the results of the study MAS score (P= 0.003) decrease significantly after extracorporeal shock wave therapy and dry needling. there was no significant differences between these two groups in term of change in MAS score. Dry needling and extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly decrease spasticity but There is no significant differences between shock wave therapy and dry needling in decreasing elbow flexor spasticity in post stroke patients.

spasticity, shockwave, dry needling, stroke