Reviewed by Kirsten Hales, SPT
Dry needling (DN) has become a very relevant intervention in outpatient physical therapy, particularly for managing musculoskeletal (MSK) pain associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). This review evaluates the efficacy of DN in reducing pain and improving function in patients with MSK conditions.
Methods
The authors conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of DN on MSK pain. The study included research that compared DN to sham treatments, placebo treatments, other interventions, or no treatment at all.The primary outcomes analyzed were “pain intensity and pressure pain threshold (PPT), with secondary outcomes including functional measures”. The researchers collected and analyzed data to assess how effective dry needling is in the short, medium, and long term.
Results
The review incorporated 12 RCTs involving a total of 484 participants. The findings suggested that DN provided a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately after treatment and at a 4-week follow-up compared to other placebo interventions. Additionally, improvements in PPT were observed, indicating a decrease in muscle sensitivity. However, the evidence for long-term benefits and functional improvements was limited and unclear because the studies varied in quality and used different DN techniques.
Discussion
The authors concluded that DN appears to be an effective short-term intervention for reducing pain associated with MTrPs in patients with MSK conditions. They emphasized the need for standardized DN protocols and high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes to draw clear conclusions about its long-term effectiveness and impact on functional outcomes. The authors also highlighted the importance of considering patient-specific factors and integrating DN with other therapeutic modalities to optimize treatment outcomes.
Conclusion
In my clinical experience as a student PT, I have observed incorporating DN into treatment plans for patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain can lead to immediate pain relief and improved range of motion. While the article underscores the short-term benefits of DN, it also aligns with my observations that combining DN with other interventions, such as manual therapy and exercise, may enhance overall patient outcomes. Having personally experienced dry needling, I can attest to its immediate positive effects. Additionally, the consistent positive feedback from patients regarding pain relief and functional improvements highlights its value as a tool in PT practice. However, aligning with the authors’ recommendations, further research is crucial to develop standardized protocols and validate the long-term benefits of dry needling across diverse patient populations.
Reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9917679/