The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling For Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

[ research report ]
ERIC GATTIE, PT, DPT1 • JOSHUA A. CLELAND, PT, PhD2 • SUZANNE SNODGRASS, PT, PhD3
The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry

Needling for Musculoskeletal Conditions
by Physical Therapists: A Systematic
Review and Meta-analysis
Downloaded from www.jospt.org at on September 7, 2023. For personal use only. No other uses without permission.
D
ry needling is a technique in which a fine needle points (MTrPs), which
is used to penetrate the skin, subcutaneous tis are described as local-
sues, and muscle, with the intent to mechanically ized hypersensitive
spots in a palpable taut
disrupt tissue without the use of an anesthetic.42
Copyright © 2017 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®. All rights reserved.
band of muscle. These

Dry needling is often used to treat myofascial trigger hyperirritable spots can
be classified as active MTrPs when they
produce spontaneous pain and, when
TTSTUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta- sure pain threshold when compared to control/
palpated, reproduce a patient’s familiar
analysis. sham or other treatment. At 6 to 12 months, dry
pain. Latent MTrPs do not produce spon-
TTBACKGROUND: An increasing number of physi- needling was favored for decreasing pain, but the
treatment effect was not statistically significant. taneous pain and are only painful upon
cal therapists in the United States and throughout
the world are using dry needling to treat musculo- Dry needling, when compared to control/sham palpation.1 Myofascial trigger points are
skeletal pain. treatment, provides a statistically significant effect commonly found in patients with muscu-
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®
on functional outcomes, but not when compared

TTOBJECTIVE: To examine the short- and long-
loskeletal pain.25
to other treatments. The physiological mechanism
term effectiveness of dry needling delivered by a
physical therapist for any musculoskeletal pain TTCONCLUSION: Very low–quality to moderate- underpinning the effects of dry needling
condition. quality evidence suggests that dry needling remains to be elucidated. However, it has
performed by physical therapists is more effective
TTMETHODS: Electronic databases were than no treatment, sham dry needling, and other
been suggested that dry needling may
searched. Eligible randomized controlled trials produce both local and central nervous
treatments for reducing pain and improving pres-
included those with human subjects who had responses to restore homeostasis at the site
sure pain threshold in patients presenting with
musculoskeletal conditions that were treated with of the MTrPs, resulting in a reduction of
musculoskeletal pain in the immediate to 12-week
dry needling performed by a physical therapist,
follow-up period. Low-quality evidence suggests both peripheral and central sensitization
compared with a control or other intervention. The
superior outcomes with dry needling for functional to pain.13,17,18 Tsai et al41 demonstrated
overall quality of the evidence was assessed using
outcomes when compared to no treatment or that needling of distal trigger points
the Grading of Recommendations Assessment,
sham needling. However, no difference in functional
Development and Evaluation. causes a reduced sensitivity of proximal
outcomes exists when compared to other physical
TTRESULTS: The initial search returned 218 therapy treatments. Evidence of long-term benefit
trigger points. Centrally, dry needling may
articles. After screening, 13 were included. Phys- of dry needling is currently lacking. activate descending control mechanisms
TTLEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 1a.
iotherapy Evidence Database quality scale scores in the brain or spinal cord.18,19 Dry
ranged from 4 to 9 (out of a maximum score of needling has been shown to immediately
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):133-149.
10), with a median score of 7. Eight meta-analyses increase pressure pain threshold (PPT)
Epub 3 Feb 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7096
were performed. In the immediate to 12-week
TTKEY WORDS: dry needling, intramuscular
and range of motion, decrease muscle
follow-up period, studies provided evidence that
dry needling may decrease pain and increase pres- stimulation, randomized controlled trial tone, and decrease pain in patients with
musculoskeletal conditions.17,24,28,32
1
Concord Hospital Rehabilitation Services, Concord, NH. 2Department of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce University, Manchester, NH. 3University of Newcastle, Callaghan,
Australia. No grant support was provided. The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or financial involvement in any organization or entity with a direct financial interest
in the subject matter or materials discussed in the article. Address correspondence to Dr Eric Gattie, 264 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH 03301. E-mail: ericgattie@gmail.com t
Copyright ©2017 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®
journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy | volume 47 | number 3 | march 2017 | 133
47-03 Gattie.indd 133 2/14/2017 4:56:15 PM

[ research report ]
Six4,5,11,20,23,30 of the 831,40 systematic
reviews since 2013 concluded that dry Records identified through
database searching,
needling is more effective in the short
Identification
n = 443
term for decreasing pain when compared • MEDLINE, n = 125
to sham or placebo treatment. There is • Embase, n = 191
currently weak evidence (only 24,5 of the • AMED, n = 39
• CINAHL, n = 88
8 systematic reviews) for dry needling’s
effect on functional outcomes or qual- Records excluded, n = 130
• Not an RCT, n = 63
ity of life. The evidence to support dry
Records screened after • Not DN, n = 40
Screening
needling in the long term for decreasing duplicates removed, • Not musculoskeletal pain,
pain or improving functional outcomes n = 218 n = 23
is currently lacking, as no previous re- • Not human, n = 4
views included evidence of long-term
Eligibility
effects. Full-text articles assessed Full-text articles excluded,

for eligibility, n = 88 n = 76
An increasing number of physical
• Needling not provided by
therapists in the United States and physical therapist, n = 33
throughout the world are using dry • Abstract only, n = 25
Studies retained for review, • Unable to determine who
needling to treat musculoskeletal
n = 12 provided needling, n = 6
pain.9,10 As dry needling becomes more
• Full text not in English,

commonly used by physical therapists, it n=6
is important to continually appraise the Records identified through • Not an RCT, n = 4
Included
existing evidence to support or refute its contacting primary • Needling not independent
authors of included variable, n = 2
effectiveness.
Previous reviews have commonly papers, n = 1
focused on a specific anatomical region
rather than the entire body,20,23,30,31 and
All studies included in review
have not examined the effectiveness (meta-analysis), n = 13
of dry needling applied by a single
health professional. To improve its

FIGURE 1. PRISMA flow diagram of search strategy and results. Abbreviations: DN, dry needling; RCT, randomized
generalizability to physical therapy
controlled trial.
practice, the available evidence on
dry needling, as applied by physical treated by a physical therapist with dry tified articles were hand searched for any
therapists, must be examined. Therefore, needling, compared with a control, sham, other potential study not identified dur-
the purpose of this systematic review or other intervention. Only randomized ing the database searches. Search results
and meta-analysis was to determine the controlled trials were included. Studies are displayed in FIGURE 1.
short-term and long-term effectiveness were excluded if patients were less than
of dry needling delivered by a physical 18 years of age and if the full text was not Study Selection
therapist for any musculoskeletal pain published in English. After the duplicate articles retrieved from
condition. The electronic databases MEDLINE, the different databases were removed, 2
AMED, CINAHL, and Embase were independent reviewers (E.G. and Kelly
METHODS searched independently by the primary Lavallee) screened titles and abstracts to
investigator in consultation with a bio- determine which studies met the inclu-
T
his systematic review and meta- medical librarian. The terms “dry nee- sion and exclusion criteria. Studies that
analysis was performed following dling” or “intramuscular stimulation,” appeared to meet the inclusion criteria
the Preferred Reporting Items for paired with “random,” “group,” “trial,” or whose eligibility could not be deter-
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses “randomized controlled trial,” or “con- mined from the title/abstract screening
(PRISMA) guidelines.29 trolled clinical trial,” were used to search were retrieved for full-text review by 2
the electronic databases. Results were independent reviewers (E.G. and Sebas-
Search Strategy limited to human studies. An example tian Sabadis). Disagreements between
Eligible studies in this systematic review of the search strategy is included in the reviewers were resolved by consulting
included human subjects with mus- APPENDIX (available at www.jospt.org). a third reviewer (J.C.) who was blind to
culoskeletal conditions who had been Bibliographic reference lists from iden- other reviewers’ decisions on whether
134 | march 2017 | volume 47 | number 3 | journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy
47-03 Gattie.indd 134 2/14/2017 4:56:15 PM

TABLE 1 Study Characteristics
Intervention Time to Functional PEDro

Study n Age, y Diagnosis (Duration) Group (n) Outcome Measure Outcome Pain* PPT* Outcome* Score
Arias-Buría 20 58 ± 15 Postsurgical shoulder 1. PT+ DN (10) Pain, ADLs, ROM, 1 wk Not statistically PT and DN 7
et al2 57 ± 11 pain (5.8 ± 5.2 mo 2. PT (10) and strength (the significant
and 5.4 ± 8.5 mo) Constant-Murley
score)
Campa-Moran 36 53.9 ± 12.7 Chronic myofascial 1. DN (12) Pain (VAS), PPT, FNXL Immediate, Not statistically OMT DN and OMT 6
et al6 45.8 ± 15.4 neck pain (10.0 ± 2. OMT (12) (NDI), PCS, ROM 2 d, significant greater than
48.7 ± 10.2 2.9 mo, 11.8 ± 4.4 3. ICT (12) (cervical spine) 2 wk ICT
mo, 14.0 ± 3.6 mo)
Casanueva 120 56.26 ± Fibromyalgia 1. DN (60) Pain (VAS), PPT, FNXL 6 wk, 12 wk DN at 6 and DN at 6 and DN at 6 and 4
et al7 12.03 (11.88 ± 9.86 y, 2. Control (60) (SF-36) 12 wk 12 wk 12 wk
50.82 ± 9.36 10.08 ± 7.74 y)
Santos et al36 22 38.5 ± 5.1 Myofascial pain 1. DN (7) Pain (VAS), FNXL Immediate, ICT Not statistically 5
24.5 ± 2.7 (>6 wk) 2. ICT (8) (WHOQOL-BREF) 3 wk, significant
25.8 ± 3.0 3. Control (7) 6 wk
Edwards and 40 57 ± 12 Myofascial pain 1. DN (14) Pain (short form of 3 wk, 6 wk DN at 6 wk DN at 6 wk, but 7
Knowles12 55 ± 17 (16 ± 23 mo, 10 ± 2. Stretching (13) the McGill Pain over control, not at 3 wk
57 ± 19 12 mo, 16 ± 19 mo) 3. Control (13) Questionnaire), PPT but not at
3 wk
Llamas-Ramos 94 31 ± 3 Chronic mechanical 1. DN (47) Pain (NPRS), PPT, FNXL Immediate, Not statistically DN at all follow- Not statistically 8
et al24 31 ± 2 neck pain 2. ICT (47) (Northwick Park 1 wk, 2 significant up periods significant
(7.4 ± 2.6 mo, NPQ), ROM (cervical wk
7.1 ± 2.9 mo) spine)
Mayoral et al27 40 71.65 ± 6.06 TKA (treated im- 1. DN (20) Pain (VAS), FNXL 1 mo, 3 mo, DN at 1 mo Not statistically 7
72.90 ± 7.85 mediately 2. Sham DN (20) (WOMAC), ROM 6 mo significant
prior to TKA) (knee), postoperative
demand for
analgesics, peak
isometric strength
(knee)
Mejuto- 17 24 ± 7 Acute mechanical 1. DN (9) Pain (NPRS), PPT, ROM Immediate, DN DN 8
Vázquez 25 ± 4 neck pain (3.4 ± 2. Control (8) (cervical spine) 1 wk
et al28 0.7 d, 3.1 ± 0.8 d)
Pecos-Martín 72 23 ± 5 Chronic neck pain 1. DN (36) Pain (VAS), PPT, FNXL Immediate, DN DN DN 9
et al32 23 ± 6 (5.7 ± 2.6 mo, 2. Sham DN (36) (NPQ) 1 wk,
7.0 ± 2.8 mo) 4 wk
Pérez-Palomar 122 45.85 ± 14.4 Chronic low back pain 1. DN (58) Pain (VAS), PPT, 3 wk Not statistically Not statistically Not statistically 6
es et al33 2. PENS (64) disability (ODI) significant significant significant
Salom-Moreno 27 33.4 ± 2.8 Chronic lateral ankle 1. DN and EX (14) Pain during sport 12 wk DN DN 7
et al35 33.0 ± 2.4 sprains (8.9 ± 1.3 2. EX (13) (NPRS), FNXL
mo, 9.2 ± 1.8 mo) (FAAM)
Sterling et al38 80 41.5 ± 1.1 WAD >3 mo 1. DN and EX (40) Pain (VAS), PPT, FNXL 6 wk, 12 wk, Not statistically DN at 12 wk DN at 6 and 12 9
41.7 ± 12.3 (20.6 ± 18.0 mo, 2. Sham DN and (NDI) 6 mo, 12 significant mo
15.9 ± 12.8 mo) EX (40) mo
Ziaeifar et al43 33 26.50 ± 8.57 Trigger points in the 1. DN (17) Pain (VAS), PPT, FNXL 1 wk DN Not statistically Not statistically 4
30.06 ± 9.87 UT muscle 2. ICT (16) (DASH) significant significant
Abbreviations: ADLs, activities of daily living; DASH, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; DN, dry needling; EX, exercise; FAAM, Foot
and Ankle Ability Measure; FXNL, functional outcome; ICT, ischemic compression technique; NDI, Neck Disability Index; NPQ, Neck Pain Questionnaire;
NPRS, numeric pain-rating scale; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index; OMT, orthopaedic manual therapy (mobilization); PCS, Pain Catastrophizing Scale; PE-
Dro, Physiotherapy Evidence Database; PENS, percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy; PPT, pressure pain threshold; PT, physical therapy; ROM,
range of motion; SF-36, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey; TKA, total knee arthroplasty; UT, upper trapezius; VAS, visual analog
scale; WAD, whiplash-associated disorder; WHOQOL-BREF, short form of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire; WOMAC, Western
Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.
*Green, in favor of DN; yellow, not statistically significant; red, in favor of control/sham or other intervention.
47-03 Gattie.indd 135 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

[ research report ]
TABLE 2 PEDro Scale Scores for Individual Items*
Item†
Study 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Total Score
Arias-Buría et al2 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes 7
Campa-Moran et al6 Yes Yes No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6
Casanueva et al7 Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No Yes Yes 4
Edwards and Knowles12 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Llamas-Ramos et al24 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8
Mayoral et al27 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes 7
Mejuto-Vázquez et al28 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8
Pecos-Martín et al32 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Pérez-Palomares et al33 Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes 6
Salom-Moreno et al35 Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 7
Santos et al36 Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes 5
Sterling et al38 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9
Ziaeifar et al43 Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No Yes Yes 4
Total, n (%) 13 (100) 13 (100) 8 (62) 12 (92) 3 (23) 0 (0) 9 (69) 9 (69) 7 (54) 13 (100) 13 (100)
Abbreviation: PEDro, Physiotherapy Evidence Database.
*Criterion 1 is not added to the total score, which is out of 10. Median, 7; interquartile range, 2; range, 4 to 9.
†
1, eligibility criteria specified; 2, random allocation; 3, concealed allocation; 4, baseline comparability; 5, blinding of subjects; 6, blinding of therapists; 7,
blinding of assessors; 8, more than 85% follow-up; 9, intention-to-treat analysis; 10, reporting of between-group statistical comparisons; 11, reporting of point
measures and measures of variability.
Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

1. Eligibility criteria specified
Data extraction was performed by the
2. Random allocation primary investigator (E.G.), and the data

were compiled into a standardized data-
3. Concealed allocation
extraction form. Data included sample
4. Baseline comparability size, diagnosis, inclusion/exclusion crite-
5. Blinding of subjects ria, duration of symptoms, type of nee-
dling intervention (location, technique,
6. Blinding of therapists
and duration), main outcomes, time to
7. Blinding of assessors outcome, and harm reported.
8. More than 85% follow-up
Included studies were analyzed by 2
independent reviewers (E.G. and Sebas-
9. Intention-to-treat analysis tian Sabadis), using the PEDro (Physio-
10. Reporting of between-group therapy Evidence Database) quality scale.
statistical comparisons
11. Reporting of point measures The PEDro scale is based on 11 criteria, of
and measures of variability which 10 contribute to the score, repre-
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% senting methodological quality and risk
Percentage of bias. The first item is not included in
the score, as it relates to external validity
Met the criterion Did not meet the criterion
of the study. The PEDro scale has been
FIGURE 2. Risk-of-bias of the included studies, presented as the percentage that met the PEDro scale criteria. shown to have fair to good interrater re-
Abbreviation: PEDro, Physiotherapy Evidence Database. liability, with an intraclass correlation
coefficient of 0.55 (95% confidence inter-
the study should be included. Once study asked if they were aware of any other val [CI]: 0.41, 0.72)26 and higher scores
selection was complete, primary authors studies that would satisfy eligibility indicating higher methodological qual-
of included studies were e-mailed and requirements. ity. Disagreements between the review-
47-03 Gattie.indd 136 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

TABLE 3 Summary of Findings for Dry Needling Compared to Control/Sham
Immediate to 12-wk Follow-up 6 to 12 mo

Pain PPT Functional Outcome Pain Functional Outcome
Quality assessment
Studies, n 6 5 5 2 2
Study design Randomized trials Randomized trials Randomized trials Randomized trials Randomized trials
Risk of bias Serious* Serious* Serious* Not serious Not serious
Inconsistency Serious† Serious† Serious† Not serious Not serious
Indirectness Not serious Not serious Not serious Not serious Not serious
Imprecision Not serious Not serious Not serious Serious‡ Serious‡
Other considerations None Publication bias strongly None None Publication bias strongly
suspected§ suspected§
Patients, n
Dry needling 336 334 268 91 91
Control/sham 325 327 261 85 85
Absolute effect‖ –0.7 (–1.06, –0.34) 0.8 (0.32, 1.27) –0.44 (–0.85, –0.04) –0.26 (–0.58, 0.06) –0.32 (–0.62, –0.02)
Quality Low Very low Low Moderate Low

Abbreviation: PPT, pressure pain threshold.
*Greater than 25% of participants from studies with a high risk of bias.
†
Statistically significant heterogeneity.
‡
Small sample size (less than 400).
§
Asymmetrical funnel plot.
‖
Values in parentheses are standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval).
Summary of Findings for Dry Needling Compared to Other

TABLE 4
Treatment in the Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up
Pain PPT Functional Outcome

Quality assessment
Studies, n 6 4 6
Study design Randomized trials Randomized trials Randomized trials
Risk of bias Not serious Not serious Not serious
Inconsistency Serious* Serious* Serious*
Indirectness Not serious Not serious Not serious
Imprecision Not serious Serious† Serious‡
Other considerations None Publication bias strongly suspected
§
Publication bias strongly suspected§
Patients, n
Dry needling 256 232 138
Other treatments 253 230 138
Absolute effect‖ –0.43 (–0.77, –0.10) 0.61 (0.08, 1.14) –0.01 (–0.49, 0.47)
Quality Moderate Very low Very low
Abbreviation: PPT, pressure pain threshold.
*Statistically significant heterogeneity.
†
Wide confidence intervals.
‡
Small sample size (less than 400).
§
Asymmetrical funnel plot.
‖
Values are standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval).
ers were resolved by consulting another Quantitative Data Synthesis and Analysis was performed using kappa statistics.21
reviewer (Jodi Young) who was blind to Interrater agreement between the review- Meta-analyses of study outcomes
previous assessment scores. ers who screened the studies for inclusion were performed wherever possible using
47-03 Gattie.indd 137 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

[ research report ]
RevMan (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, 50% a moderate, and 75% a large degree was considered a clinically meaningful
Copenhagen, Denmark). For analysis of of heterogeneity.16 Effect size was inter- change in pain for between-group com-
continuous data, standardized mean dif- preted using Cohen’s criteria for pooled es- parisons, as this criterion was also used in
ferences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were used, timates.8 Cohen described 0.2 as small, 0.5 a previous systematic review of dry nee-
as this method has been reported to be as moderate, and 0.8 as large effect sizes.8 dling,20 enabling comparisons with the
more generalizable39 and allows for assess- To assess for risk of publication bias, previous literature. As we were unable
ment of studies utilizing different scales to funnel plots were constructed.22 A sym- to find evidence describing the minimal
assess the same outcome. The random-ef- metrical funnel plot indicates a lower risk clinically important difference for PPT,
fects model was used to account for vari- of publication bias, whereas an asymmet- between-group comparisons were not
ability between studies and its effect on rical funnel plot indicates a high risk of performed for PPT.
the intervention. The I2 statistic was used publication bias. Two reviewers (E.G. and J.C.), us-
to measure the heterogeneity between tri- A 2-point change in pain on a visual ing the Grading of Recommendations
als.15 An I2 value of 25% represents a small, analog scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10 Assessment, Development and Evalua-
Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for Pain

Dry Needling Control/Sham
Total, Total,
Time/Study Mean ± SD n Mean ± SD n Weight SMD IV, Random (95% Confidence Interval)
Immediate
Mejuto-Vázquez et al28 3.8 ± 1.9 9 5.5 ± 2.1 8 6.0% –0.81 (–1.81, 0.19)
Subtotal* 9 8 6.0% –0.81 (–1.81, 0.19)
1-4 wk
Edwards and Knowles12 13.0 ± 10.2 14 16.5 ± 10.2 13 7.5% –0.33 (–1.09, 0.43)
Mayoral et al27 23.8 ± 24.86 20 32.3 ± 25.72 18 8.3% –0.33 (–0.97, 0.31)
Mejuto-Vázquez et al28 2.0 ± 1.7 9 4.6 ± 2.1 8 5.6% –1.30 (–2.38, –0.23)
Pecos-Martín et al32 wk 1 2.6 ± 1.8 36 5.3 ± 1.6 36 9.1% –1.57 (–2.10, –1.04)
Subtotal† 115 111 39.3% –1.10 (–1.78, –0.42)

5-8 wk
Casanueva et al7 6.5 ± 2.1 50 8.0 ± 1.3 50 9.9% –0.85 (–1.26, –0.44)
Sterling et al38 3.2± 2.0 40 3.2 ± 2.3 39 9.7% 0.00 (–0.44, 0.44)
Subtotal‡ 104 102 27.0% –0.45 (–1.03, 0.14)
9-12 wk
Casanueva et al7 6.9 ± 2.3 50 8.1 ± 1.3 50 9.9% –0.64 (–1.04, –0.24)
Mayoral et al27 20.61 ± 21.49 18 25.31 ± 20.03 16 8.1% –0.22 (–0.90, 0.46)
Sterling et al38 3.2 ± 2.1 40 3.5 ± 2.3 38 9.7% –0.14 (–0.58, 0.31)
Subtotal§ 108 104 27.7% –0.36 (–0.71, –0.02)
Total‖ 336 325 100.0% –0.70 (–1.06, –0.34)
–2 –1 0 1 2
Favors dry needling Favors control/sham
Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; SMD, standardized mean difference.

*Heterogeneity: not applicable. Test for overall effect: z = 1.58 (P = .001).
†
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.47, χ2 = 20.12, df = 4 (P<.001), I2 = 80%. Test for overall effect: z = 3.18 (P = .11).
‡
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.19, χ2 = 7.70, df = 2 (P = .02), I2 = 74%. Test for overall effect: z = 1.51 (P = .13).
§
‖
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.29, χ2 = 50.06, df = 11 (P<.001), I2 = 78%. Test for overall effect: z = 3.84 (P<.001). Test for subgroup differences: χ2 = 4.00, df = 3
(P = .26), I2 = 25%.
FIGURE 3. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on pain compared to a no-treatment or sham control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up, showing a
moderate effect favoring dry needling. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents
the pooled treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
47-03 Gattie.indd 138 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for PPT
Total, Total,
Immediate
Mejuto-Vázquez et al28 –294.0 ± 69.6 9 –282.0 ± 109.5 8 7.5% –0.13 (–1.08, 0.83)
Pecos-Martín et al32 –421.68 ± 58.83 36 –343.23 ± 68.64 36 9.7% –1.21 (–1.72, –0.71)
Subtotal* 45 44 17.2% –0.75 (–1.80, 0.31)
1-4 wk
Edwards and Knowles12 –176.51 ± 98.06 14 –196.13 ± 137.29 13 8.5% 0.16 (–0.60, 0.92)
Mejuto-Vázquez et al28 –353.7 ± 92.3 9 –296.1 ± 89.7 8 7.4% –0.60 (–1.58, 0.38)
Pecos-Martín et al32 wk 1 –421.68 ± 58.83 36 –304.0 ± 58.83 36 9.4% –1.98 (–2.55, –1.41)
Pecos-Martín et al32 wk 4 –431.39 ± 49.03 36 –294.19 ± 58.83 36 9.1% –2.51 (–3.13, –1.88)
Subtotal† 95 93 34.4% –1.26 (–2.46, –0.06)

5-8 wk
Casanueva et al7 –93.7 ± 42.9 50 –65.8 ± 27.1 50 10.1% –0.77 (–1.18, –0.36)
Edwards and Knowles12 –264.77 ± 137.29 14 –196.13 ± 156.9 13 8.5% –0.45 (–1.22, 0.31)
Sterling et al38 –191.8 ± 79.1 40 –199.4 ± 122.1 39 9.9% 0.07 (–0.37, 0.51)
Subtotal‡ 104 102 28.4% –0.38 (–0.96, 0.20)

9-12 wk
Casanueva et al7 –82.8 ± 31.4 50 –56.7 ± 26.2 50 10.0% –0.90 (–1.31, –0.48)
Sterling et al38 –213.2 ± 137.0 40 –181.1 ± 106.5 38 9.9% –0.26 (–0.70, 0.19)
Subtotal§ 90 88 19.9% –0.58 (–1.21, 0.04)
Total‖ 334 327 100.0% –0.80 (–1.27, –0.32)
–4 –2 0 2 4
Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; PPT, pressure pain threshold; SMD, standardized mean difference.
*Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.44, χ2 = 3.91, df = 1 (P = .05), I2 = 74%. Test for overall effect: z = 1.39 (P = .16).
†
‡
§
‖
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.54, χ2 = 77.69, df = 10 (P<.00001), I2 = 87%. Test for overall effect: z = 3.30 (P = .001). Test for subgroup differences: χ2 = 1.78, df = 3
(P = .62), I2 = 0%.
FIGURE 4. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on PPT compared to a no-treatment or sham control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up, showing a
moderate effect favoring dry needling. Pressure pain threshold values have been made negative but represent the increase in PPT. In the plots, the squares represent point
estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the pooled treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals,
and the vertical line represents no difference.
tion (GRADE) approach,3 performed an • Low-quality evidence: further re- PEDro scale scores of less than 6); (2)
analysis of the studies included in each search is very likely to have an im- inconsistency of results (downgraded
meta-analysis independently. After ap- portant impact on our confidence in if significant heterogeneity was present
praising the evidence, each meta-analysis the estimate of effect and is likely to on visual inspection or the I2 value was
was classified as 1 of the following levels change the estimate greater than 50%); (3) indirectness (gen-
of evidence to support its findings14: • Very low–quality evidence: any esti- eralizability of the findings downgraded if
• High-quality evidence: further re- mate of effect is very uncertain greater than 50% of the participants were
search is very unlikely to change our Randomized controlled trials began outside the target group); (4) imprecision
confidence in the estimate of effect with a high-quality evidence classifica- (downgraded if fewer than 400 partici-
• Moderate-quality evidence: further tion but were downgraded based on 5 pants were included in the comparison
research is likely to have an impor- domains: (1) study design and risk of for continuous data); and (5) other (pub-
tant impact on our confidence in the bias (downgraded if greater than 25% of lication bias).37 We reduced the quality of
estimate of effect and may change the the participants were from studies with evidence by 1 level for each domain not
estimate a high risk of bias, which we defined as met in the comparison to determine the
47-03 Gattie.indd 139 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

[ research report ]
Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for Functional Outcomes
Total, Total,
1-4 wk
Mayoral et al27 16.94 ± 10.68 20 12.92 ± 8.29 18 11.1% 0.41 (–0.24, 1.05)
Subtotal* 56 54 23.4% –0.48 (–2.19, 1.24)
5-8 wk
Casanueva et al7 6 wk –33.6 ± 20.2 50 –17.1 ± 16.6 50 13.3% –0.89 (–1.30, –0.47)
Santos et al36 global –12.1 ± 6.5 7 3.0 ± 9.5 7 6.0% –1.74 (–3.03, –0.44)
Santos et al36 physical –2.0 ± 5.6 7 1.7 ± 5.0 7 7.3% –0.65 (–1.74, 0.43)
Sterling et al38 6 wk 32.2 ± 16.8 40 32.7 ± 16.8 39 13.0% –0.03 (–0.47, 0.41)
Subtotal† 104 103 39.5% –0.69 (–1.34, –0.04)

9-12 wk
Casanueva et al7 12 wk –28.0 ± 23.42 50 –17.1 ± 16.6 50 13.4% –0.53 (–0.93, –0.13)
Mayoral et al27 12 wk 13.82 ± 11.48 18 10.64 ± 10.42 16 10.7% 0.28 (–0.39, 0.96)
Sterling et al38 12 wk 30.8 ± 17.1 40 32.1 ± 16.0 38 13.0% –0.08 (–0.52, 0.37)
Subtotal‡ 108 104 37.1% –0.17 (–0.61, 0.28)
Total§ 268 261 100.0% –0.44 (–0.85, –0.04)
–4 –2 0 2 4

*Heterogeneity: τ2 = 1.44, χ2 = 17.28, df = 1 (P<.0001), I2 = 94%. Test for overall effect: z = 0.55 (P = .59).
†
‡
§
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.28, χ2 = 37.40, df = 8 (P<.00001), I2 = 79%. Test for overall effect: z = 2.14 (P = .03). Test for subgroup differences: χ2 = 1.73, df = 2 (P = .42),
I2 = 0%.
FIGURE 5. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on functional outcomes in the immediate to 12-week follow-up compared to no treatment or sham control,
showing a small effect favoring dry needling. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond
represents the pooled treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
overall quality rating of the evidence for for the first and second stages of the study musculoskeletal pain and included 13
each meta-analysis performed. selection was 86% and 93%, respectively. studies: 6 on neck pain (5 on mechanical
The chance-corrected degree of agree- neck pain6,24,28,32,43 and 1 on chronic
RESULTS ment was good for screening by title whiplash-associated disorder38), 1 on
and abstract (κ = 0.717; 95% CI: 0.629, postoperative shoulder pain,2 1 on
Study Selection 0.806) and good for screening by full text chronic lower back pain,33 1 on total
T
he database search returned a (κ = 0.759; 95% CI: 0.575, 0.943). For the knee arthroplasty,27 1 on chronic ankle
total of 218 articles after dupli- title and abstract screening, the third re- instability,35 2 on myofascial pain,12,36
cates were removed. Following title viewer resolved 38 disagreements, most and 1 on fibromyalgia.7 Inclusion and
and abstract screening, 88 manuscripts commonly over whether the study met exclusion criteria varied greatly across
were selected for full-text review. FIGURE the inclusion criteria for dry needling the studies. The characteristics of the 13
1 illustrates the flow of papers through (31%). For the full-text screening, the studies are included in TABLE 1.
the review. After the full review pro- third reviewer was needed to resolve 3 The 13 trials in this systematic review
cess, 12 studies were selected for inclu- disagreements, all regarding the type included a total of 723 participants. The
sion.2,7,12,24,27,28,32,33,35,36,38,43 After contact of health practitioner who provided the majority (85%) of the included studies
with primary authors of included studies, needling. examined the effects of dry needling in
1 further study was identified for inclu- participants with chronic musculoskel-
sion,6 resulting in a total of 13 studies. Study Characteristics etal conditions. Two trials (15%) exam-
The absolute degree of rater agreement This systematic review focused on ined dry needling either coinciding with
47-03 Gattie.indd 140 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: 6- to 12-Month Follow-up for Pain
Total, Total,
6 mo
Mayoral et al27 23.51 ± 22.5 17 20.86 ± 18.58 14 18.9% 0.12 (–0.58, 0.83)
Sterling et al38 3.5 ± 2.4 37 4.7 ± 2.3 35 39.8% –0.50 (–0.97, –0.03)
Subtotal* 54 49 58.7% –0.25 (–0.85, 0.36)
12 mo
Sterling et al38 2.8 ± 2.4 37 3.3 ± 2.6 36 41.3% –0.20 (–0.66, 0.26)
Subtotal† 37 36 41.3% –0.20 (–0.66, 0.26)
Total‡ 91 85 100.0% –0.26 (–0.58, 0.06)
–2 –1 0 1 2
Abbreviation: IV, independent variable; SMD, standardized mean difference.
†
Heterogeneity: not applicable. Test for overall effect: z = 0.84 (P = .40).
‡
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.01, χ2 = 2.24, df = 2 (P = .33), I2 = 11%. Test for overall effect: z = 1.59 (P = .11). Test for subgroup differences: χ2 = 0.02, df = 1 (P = .90), I2 =
0%.
FIGURE 6. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on pain compared to a no-treatment or sham control in the 6- to 12-month follow-up period, showing a small
effect favoring dry needling. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the pooled
treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: 6- to 12-Month Follow-up for Functional Outcomes

Total, Total,
6 mo
Mayoral et al27 9.7 ± 7.36 17 10.53 ± 11.52 14 17.7% –0.09 (–0.79, 0.62)
Sterling et al38 29.7 ± 17.0 37 36.27 ± 18.9 35 40.9% –0.36 (–0.83, 0.10)
Subtotal* 54 49 58.6% –0.28 (–0.67, 0.11)
12 mo
Sterling et al38 27.3 ± 16.5 37 34.1 ± 18.4 36 41.4% –0.39 (–0.85, 0.08)
Subtotal† 37 36 41.4% –0.39 (–0.85, 0.08)
Total‡ 91 85 100.0% –0.32 (–0.62, –0.02)
–4 –2 0 2 4
†
‡
Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.00, χ2 = 0.53, df = 2 (P = .77), I2 = 0%. Test for overall effect: z = 2.12 (P = .03). Test for subgroup differences: χ2 = 0.12, df = 1 (P = .73),
I2 = 0%.
FIGURE 7. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on functional outcomes in the 6- to 12-month follow-up compared to no treatment or sham control, showing
a small effect favoring dry needling. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the
pooled treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
surgical intervention or after surgical to other treatments, and 2 used a variety The risk of bias within studies was
intervention. of comparison groups (TABLE 1). All dry assessed with PEDro scale scores (TABLE
Two of the studies utilized control needling and comparison treatments 2). The absolute percent of rater agree-
groups that did not receive dry needling, were performed by physical therapists. ment for PEDro scale scoring was 94%,
3 used control groups that received sham Follow-up periods ranged widely from and the chance-corrected degree of
dry needling, 6 compared dry needling immediate to 12 months. agreement was very good (κ = 0.863;
47-03 Gattie.indd 141 2/14/2017 4:56:19 PM

[ research report ]
Dry Needling Versus Other Treatment: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for Pain
Dry Needling Other Treatment
Total, Total,
Immediate
Campa-Moran et al6 OMT 39.7 ± 17.8 12 29.8 ± 17.8 12 7.5% 0.54 (–0.28, 1.35)
Campa-Moran et al6 STT 39.7 ± 17.8 12 38.2 ± 19.2 12 7.6% 0.08 (–0.72, 0.88)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 1.9 ± 1.4 47 2.2 ± 1.8 47 11.3% –0.18 (–0.59, 0.22)
Subtotal* 71 71 26.4% 0.02 (–0.38, 0.41)
1-4 wk
Arias-Buría et al2 –10.28 ± 2.7 10 –7.0 ± 2.6 10 6.4% –1.19 (–2.15, –0.22)
Campa-Moran et al6 STT 13.3 ± 14.8 12 34.3 ± 14.8 12 6.8% –1.37 (–2.28, –0.46)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 wk 1 1.3 ± 1.1 47 1.6 ± 1.5 47 11.3% –0.23 (–0.63, 0.18)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 wk 2 0.9 ± 0.8 45 1.0 ± 1.1 46 11.2% –0.10 (–0.51, 0.31)
Ziaeifar et al43 1.34 ± 1.93 17 3.05 ± 2.3 16 8.4% –0.79 (–1.51, –0.08)
Subtotal† 157 156 59.6% –0.44 (–0.81, –0.07)
5-8 wk
Subtotal‡ 14 13 7.9% –0.57 (–1.34, 0.20)
9-12 wk
Salom-Moreno et al35 1.4 ± 1.0 14 3.5 ± 0.8 13 6.2% –2.24 (–3.23, –1.25)
Subtotal§ 14 13 6.2% –2.24 (–3.23, –1.25)
Total‖ 256 253 100.0% –0.43 (–0.77, –0.10)
–2 –1 0 1 2
Favors dry needling Favors other treatment
Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; OMT, orthopaedic manual therapy (mobilization); SMD, standardized mean difference; STT, soft tissue techniques.
†
‡
§
Heterogeneity: not applicable. Test for overall effect: z = 4.42 (P<.0001).
‖
(P<.001), I2 = 83%.
FIGURE 8. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on pain compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up, showing a small effect favoring
dry needling. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the pooled treatment
effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
95% CI: 0.771, 0.955). The PEDro scale and provided both point measures and Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham:
scores for included studies ranged from measures of variability for at least 1 key Immediate to 12-Week Effects
4 to 9 (out of a maximum score of 10), outcome. Most studies (n = 12, 92%) Seven studies7,12,27,28,32,36,38 examined the
with a median score of 7 and an inter- scored well on having similar groups immediate to 12-week effects of dry nee-
quartile range of 2 (6-8). None of the at baseline. Nine (69%) of the studies dling, and 67,12,27,28,32,38 were able to be
trials were able to blind the treating collected measures of at least 1 key out- grouped for meta-analyses to determine
therapist, and only 3 (23%) of the tri- come from more than 85% of the sub- the effect on pain (FIGURE 3). There is
als were able to blind subjects through jects initially allocated to groups. The low-quality evidence suggesting a mod-
the use of sham dry needling. Only 8 risk of bias across studies is displayed erate effect8 (SMD, –0.7; 95% CI: –1.06,
(62%) studies included concealed al- in FIGURE 2. –0.34) favoring dry needling over con-
location. All studies specified eligibility TABLES 3 and 4 provide the summary trol/sham. Heterogeneity was high (I2 =
criteria, randomized patients, provided of findings and quality of evidence for all 78%). All 7 studies favored dry needling
results of between-group statistical comparisons and outcomes included in over control/sham at all assessment
comparisons for at least 1 key outcome, this review. points for reducing pain, except for Ster-
47-03 Gattie.indd 142 2/14/2017 4:56:19 PM

ling et al38 at 6 weeks. The 2 studies with dry needling over control/sham. Hetero- Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham:
the largest treatment effect were Pecos- geneity was high (I2 = 87%). On 9 of 11 6- to 12-Month Effects
Martín et al32 at 1 and 4 weeks and Me- occasions that PPT was assessed in the Two studies27,38 examined the long-term
juto-Vázquez et al28 at 1 week, with a raw 12 weeks after intervention, dry needling effect of dry needling and were meta-
treatment effect size of 2.7, 3.0, and 2.6 increased PPT to a greater degree than analyzed to determine effect on pain
on a VAS, respectively, which are con- control/sham. (FIGURE 6). There is moderate-quality evi-
sidered clinically meaningful changes in Five studies7,27,32,36,38 assessed func- dence suggesting a small effect8 (SMD,
pain. The raw treatment effect sizes for tional outcomes versus control/sham –0.26; 95% CI: –0.58, 0.06) favoring dry
the remaining studies7,12,27,38 on pain (1.7, during the immediate to 12-week follow- needling over control/sham in the long
0.35, 0.85, 1.5, 0.58, 0, 1.2, 0.47, 0.3) are up (FIGURE 5). There is low-quality evi- term. The 95% CI crosses the line of no
of questionable clinical meaningfulness dence suggesting a small effect8 (SMD, difference, and heterogeneity was low
(FIGURE 3). –0.44; 95% CI: –0.85, –0.04) favoring (I2 = 11%). Two time points analyzed by
Five studies7,12,28,32,38 examined the im- dry needling over control/sham. Het- Sterling et al38 were in favor of dry nee-
mediate to 12-week effects of dry needling erogeneity was high (I2 = 79%). Three dling, whereas that of Mayoral et al27 was
on PPT and were able to be meta-ana- out of the 5 studies (60%) found that in favor of control/sham. The raw VAS
lyzed (FIGURE 4). There is very low–qual- dry needling improved functional out- scores in the Sterling et al38 trial indicate
ity evidence suggesting a moderate effect come scores more than control or sham a reduction in pain in favor of dry nee-
(SMD, 0.8; 95% CI: 0.32, 1.27) favoring treatment. dling at 6 months of 1.2 points, and at 12
Dry Needling Versus Other Treatment: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for PPT
Total, Total,
Immediate
Campa-Moran et al6 OMT –231.04 ± 174.55 12 –312.83 ± 181.42 12 9.4% 0.44 (–0.37, 1.26)
Campa-Moran et al6 STT –231.04 ± 174.55 12 –155.53 ± 102.97 12 9.4% –0.51 (–1.32, 0.31)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 –326.2 ± 39.5 47 –267.0 ± 39.0 47 11.1% –1.50 (–1.96, –1.04)
Subtotal* 71 71 29.9% –0.56 (–1.74, 0.63)
1-4 wk
Campa-Moran et al6 OMT –234.37 ± 178.48 12 –321.65 ± 91.2 12 9.4% 0.59 (–0.23, 1.42)
Campa-Moran et al6 STT –234.37 ± 178.48 12 –206.92 ± 65.7 12 9.5% –0.20 (–1.00, 0.61)
Edwards and Knowles12 –176.51 ± 98.06 14 –176.51 ± 107.87 13 9.7% 0.00 (–0.75, 0.75)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 wk 1 –326.8 ± 49.4 47 –257.6 ± 39.5 47 11.1% –1.53 (–2.00, –1.07)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 wk 2 –326.2 ± 39.0 45 –247.3 ± 49.0 46 11.0% –1.76 (–2.25, –1.28)
Ziaeifar et al43 –1611.23 ± 456.98 17 –1421.96 ± 435.42 16 10.0% –0.41 (–1.10, –0.28)
Subtotal† 147 146 60.6% –0.60 (–1.35, 0.16)
5-8 wk
Edwards and Knowles12 –264.77 ± 137.29 14 –176.51 ± 88.26 13 9.6% –0.74 (–1.52, 0.05)
Subtotal‡ 14 13 9.6% –0.74 (–1.52, 0.05)
Total§ 232 230 100.0% –0.61 (–1.14, –0.08)
–2 –1 0 1 2
Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; OMT, orthopaedic manual therapy (mobilization); PPT, pressure pain threshold; SMD, standardized mean difference;
STT, soft tissue techniques.
*Heterogeneity: τ2 = 0.96, χ2 = 17.85, df = 2 (P<.001), I2 = 89%. Test for overall effect: z = 0.92 (P = .36).
†
‡
§
(P = .96), I2 = 0%.
FIGURE 9. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on PPT compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up, showing a moderate effect
favoring dry needling. Pressure pain threshold values in the figure are negative but represent the increase in PPT. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of
treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the pooled treatment effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical
line represents no difference.
47-03 Gattie.indd 143 2/14/2017 4:56:20 PM

[ research report ]
Dry Needling Versus Other Treatment: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for Functional Outcomes
Total, Total,
1-4 wk
Arias-Buría et al2 –8.0 ± 1.6 10 –8.3 ± 1.3 10 10.8% 0.20 (–0.68, 1.08)
Campa-Moran et al6 STT 12.2 ± 5.7 12 15.2 ± 5.7 12 11.4% –0.51 (–1.33, 0.30)
Llamas-Ramos et al24 wk 2 5.4 ± 3.1 45 5.0 ± 3.7 46 15.0% 0.12 (–0.30, 0.53)
Ziaeifar et al43 12.81 ± 10.15 17 16.93 ± 11.59 16 12.5% –0.37 (–1.06, 0.32)
Subtotal* 96 96 61.2% 0.00 (–0.29, 0.28)
5-8 wk
Santos et al36 global –12.1 ± 6.5 7 –19.7 ± 18.1 8 9.5% 0.51 (–0.53, 1.55)
Santos et al36 physical –2.0 ± 5.6 7 –19.8 ± 6.5 8 6.3% 2.75 (1.22, 4.28)
Subtotal† 14 16 15.7% 1.55 (–0.63, 3.74)
9-12 wk
Salom-Moreno et al35 ADL –95.4 ± 5.5 14 –90.6 ± 7.2 13 11.7% –0.73 (–1.51, 0.05)
Salom-Moreno et al35 sports –91.7 ± 9.0 14 –81.0 ± 10.4 13 11.4% –1.07 (–1.89, –0.25)
Subtotal‡ 28 26 23.1% –0.89 (–1.46, –0.33)
Total§ 138 138 100.0% –0.01 (–0.49, 0.47)
–4 –2 0 2 4
Abbreviations: ADL, activities of daily living; IV, independent variable; OMT, orthopaedic manual therapy (mobilization); SMD, standardized mean
difference; STT, soft tissue techniques.
†
‡
§
(P = .007), I2 = 80%.
FIGURE 10. Forest plot illustrating the overall effect of dry needling on functional outcomes compared to other treatment, showing no treatment effect of dry needling versus
other treatment. In the plots, the squares represent point estimates of treatment effect (larger squares indicate larger samples), the diamond represents the pooled treatment
effect, the horizontal lines are 95% confidence intervals, and the vertical line represents no difference.
months of 0.5 points. The raw VAS score evidence suggesting a small effect8 (SMD, 95% CI: 0.08, 1.14) favoring dry needling
at 6 months in the Mayoral et al27 trial –0.43; 95% CI: –0.77, –0.10) favoring dry over other treatment. Heterogeneity was
was 0.26 in favor of the control (FIGURE 6). needling over other treatment. Heteroge- high (I2 = 85%). On 7 of 10 occasions of
Two studies27,38 assessed long-term ef- neity was moderate (I2 = 67%). On 9 of 12 measurement, PPT results were in fa-
fectiveness of dry needling on functional occasions when pain was assessed, results vor of dry needling compared to other
outcomes versus control/sham (FIGURE 7). favored dry needling compared to other treatment.
There is low-quality evidence suggest- treatment (FIGURE 8). Only Salom-Moreno Six studies2,6,24,35,36,43 assessed func-
ing a small effect (SMD, –0.32; 95% CI: et al35 found a raw effect size on pain of tional outcomes versus other treatment
–0.62, –0.02) favoring dry needling over greater than 2 points (2.1) at 12 weeks, in over various periods ranging from 1
sham/control. Heterogeneity was low (I2 favor of dry needling. All other raw effect week to 12 weeks (FIGURE 10). There is
= 0%). sizes on pain are of questionable clinical very low–quality evidence suggesting no
meaningfulness when compared to other treatment effect (SMD, –0.01; 95% CI:
Dry Needling Versus Other Treatment: treatments (FIGURE 8). –0.49, 0.47) of dry needling over other
Immediate to 12-Week Effects Four studies6,12,24,43 examined the treatments. Heterogeneity was moder-
Eight studies2,6,12,24,33,35,36,43 examined the immediate to 12-week effects of dry ate (I2 = 70%). Only 135 of the 6 stud-
immediate to 12-week effects of dry nee- needling on PPT compared to other ies (17%) that compared dry needling
dling, and 6 were able to be included in treatments and were meta-analyzed (FIG- to other treatment reported that dry
meta-analyses to determine the effect on URE 9). There is very low–quality evidence needling led to greater improvement in
pain (FIGURE 8). There is moderate-quality suggesting a moderate effect (SMD, 0.61; functional outcome.
47-03 Gattie.indd 144 2/14/2017 4:56:20 PM

Publication Bias for immediate to 12-week follow-up DISCUSSION
Funnel plots were constructed to (FIGURE 11F) are symmetrical, suggesting
T
determine the risk of publication bias in a lower likelihood of publication bias. he results of the current sys-
the 8 meta-analyses performed (FIGURE However, the asymmetrical funnel plots tematic review and meta-analyses
11). The funnel plots for the effects of for PPT (FIGURES 11B and 11G), the effects suggest that there is very low–
dry needling versus control/sham on of dry needling versus control/sham on quality to moderate-quality evidence
pain for immediate to 12-week follow-up functional outcomes for 6- to 12-month that dry needling performed by physi-
(FIGURE 11A), on functional outcomes for follow-up (FIGURE 11E), and the effects of cal therapists is more effective than a
immediate to 12-week follow-up (FIGURE dry needling versus other treatment on no-treatment control or sham dry nee-
11C), on pain for 6- to 12-month follow- functional outcomes for immediate to dling for reducing pain (low-quality
up (FIGURE 11D), and for the effects of dry 12-week follow-up (FIGURE 11H) suggest a evidence; effect size [SMD], –0.7; 95%
needling versus other treatment on pain possible risk of publication bias. CI: –1.06, –0.34) and improving PPT
A B
0 0
0.2 0.1
0.4 0.2
SMD SE
0.6 0.3
0.8 0.4
1.0 0.5
–2 –1 0 1 2 –4 –2 0 2 4
C D
0 0
0.2 0.1
0.4 0.2
SMD SE
0.6 0.3
0.8 0.4
1.0 0.5
–4 –2 0 2 4 –2 –1 0 1 2
SMD SMD
Immediate 1-4 wk 5-8 wk
9-12 wk 6 mo 12 mo
FIGURE 11. Funnel plots for meta-analyses showing (A) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to sham or control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (B) dry
needling’s effect on pressure pain threshold compared to sham or control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (C) dry needling’s effect on functional outcomes
compared to control/sham in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (D) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to control/sham in the 6- to 12-month follow-up period, (E)
dry needling’s effect on functional outcomes compared to control/sham in the 6- to 12-month follow-up period, (F) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to other treatment in
the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (G) dry needling’s effect on pressure pain threshold compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (H)
dry needling’s effect on functional outcome compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period. The shapes indicate at which follow-up time period the
outcomes were assessed. Abbreviations: SE, standard error; SMD, standardized mean difference. (Continues on page 146.)
47-03 Gattie.indd 145 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

[ research report ]
E F
0 0
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.4
SMD SE
0.3 0.6
0.4 0.8
0.5 1.0
–4 –2 0 2 4 –2 –1 0 1 2
G H
0 0
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.4
SMD SE
0.3 0.6
0.4 0.8
0.5 1.0
–2 –1 0 1 2 –4 –2 0 2 4
SMD SMD
Immediate 1-4 wk 5-8 wk
9-12 wk 6 mo 12 mo
FIGURE 11 (CONTINUED). Funnel plots for meta-analyses showing (A) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to sham or control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period,
(B) dry needling’s effect on pressure pain threshold compared to sham or control in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (C) dry needling’s effect on functional outcomes
compared to control/sham in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (D) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to control/sham in the 6- to 12-month follow-up period,
(E) dry needling’s effect on functional outcomes compared to control/sham in the 6- to 12-month follow-up period, (F) dry needling’s effect on pain compared to other treatment
in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, (G) dry needling’s effect on pressure pain threshold compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period,
(H) dry needling’s effect on functional outcome compared to other treatment in the immediate to 12-week follow-up period. The shapes indicate at which follow-up time period
the outcomes were assessed. Abbreviations: SE, standard error; SMD, standardized mean difference.
(very low–quality evidence; effect size cally meaningful. At all follow-up occa- the moderate treatment effect observed
[SMD], 0.8; 95% CI: 0.32, 1.27) dur- sions during the immediate to 12-week in the meta-analyses, suggests that dry
ing the immediate to 12-week follow-up period, dry needling showed moderate needling may be more effective when
period. During this same immediate to to large treatment effects on both pain compared to a no-treatment control or
12-week follow-up period, there was also and PPT. On average, within the immedi- sham needling based on low- to moder-
a small but significant effect for improv- ate to 12-week period, the raw treatment ate-quality evidence.34 At 6 to 12 months,
ing functional outcomes (low-quality effect on pain was 1.27 points better on dry needling appears to be favored when
evidence; effect size [SMD], –0.44; 95% the VAS in the dry needling group than compared to the no-treatment control or
CI: –0.85, –0.04); however, due to the in the control/sham group. Although sham needling, but the 95% CI crosses
varied outcome tools and musculoskel- this value does not exceed the clinically the line of no difference, suggesting that
etal conditions examined, it is not clear meaningful change in pain of 2.0,20 the this difference between treatments is not
whether this treatment effect was clini- overall raw effect on pain, combined with significant. Yet, at 6 to 12 months, there
47-03 Gattie.indd 146 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

was a small but significant treatment ef- first to investigate dry needling per- treatment period. When dry needling
fect in favor of dry needling compared to formed by a single health profession is utilized in appropriate patients, it
a no-treatment control or sham needling (physical therapy). This improves the may aid in decreasing musculoskeletal
on functional outcomes. Only 2 stud- generalizability of our findings to physi- pain, allowing for additional, more
ies27,38 with 6- to 12-month follow-up cal therapists, and provides evidence that active physical therapy interventions
periods met our inclusion criteria. The dry needling may be an effective treat- to maximize functional outcomes and
lack of studies examining the long-term ment technique when used by physical reduce patient disability.
outcomes of dry needling performed by therapists trained in its use in an ap-
physical therapists on musculoskeletal propriate patient for the management of Limitations
pain warrants caution when interpreting musculoskeletal pain. This systematic review has some
these findings. Results of meta-analyses The findings of this review are limitations. The included studies
within this review support a statisti- in agreement with those of previous were limited to those investigating
cally significant treatment effect of dry reviews,4,5,11,20,23,30 in that dry needling dry needling performed by physical
needling for improving pain, PPT, and may be superior to no treatment or therapists, which might have excluded
functional outcomes when compared sham needling in reducing pain in the articles reporting the effects of dry
to no-treatment control or sham treat- immediate to 12-week follow-up period. needling on musculoskeletal pain
ment during the immediate to 12-week Results from this review differ from those performed by other practitioners. This
follow-up period. At the 6- to 12-month of previous reviews20,23,40 showing an was intentional, as the study examined
follow-up periods, the treatment effect is overall treatment effect of dry needling evidence specific to physical therapists
no longer statistically significant for pain compared to standard care/other performing dry needling. Another
and is small and of questionable meaning treatment; the present review found limitation is the high heterogeneity in 5 of
for functional outcomes. that dry needling performed by physical the 8 meta-analyses performed. This may
When dry needling performed by therapists provided a small treatment be explained by the inclusion of studies
physical therapists is compared to other effect compared to other interventions investigating any type of musculoskeletal
treatments, primarily soft tissue manual performed by physical therapists for pain, where participant samples differed,
therapy techniques, there is moderate- reducing pain and increasing PPT. It is comparison groups varied, and follow-up
quality evidence to suggest that it is more possible that differences between dry times for outcomes were different. The
effective at reducing pain (effect size needling and other physical therapy heterogeneity was one of the reasons we
[SMD], –0.43; 95% CI: –0.77, –0.10) and interventions were found in the current elected to use the random-effects model,
very low–quality evidence to suggest that review because previous reviews4,5,20,23,31 allowing for improved internal validity
it increases PPT (effect size [SMD], 0.61; commonly have compared dry needling of the results. We included all types of
95% CI: 0.08, 1.14) during the immedi- to other types of needling (eg, wet musculoskeletal conditions because this
ate to 12-week period. The treatment ef- needling, which is not performed by is typical of physical therapy clinical
fect is largest at 4 and 12 weeks in regard physical therapists). In the current practice, where therapists treat a variety
to pain and appears to have a moderate review, dry needling was compared to (1) of clinical conditions. Also, only studies
treatment effect on PPT when immedi- exercise/soft tissue mobilization/joint published in English were included in
ate to 12-week results are meta-analyzed. mobilization for postsurgical shoulder this review.
Although the raw effect sizes for pain and pain,2 (2) proprioception/strengthening Though we only included randomized
PPT compared to other treatments are of for ankle pain, 35 (3) ischemic controlled trials, the actual overall
questionable clinical meaningfulness, the compression techniques in 4 studies on quality of the evidence was considered
CI does not cross the no-difference line, neck pain,6,24,36,43 (4) orthopaedic manual to be very low to moderate using the
suggesting a true treatment effect favor- therapy consisting of joint mobilization GRADE approach. This quality of
ing dry needling. Compared to other of the cervical and thoracic spine for evidence suggests that further research
treatments, dry needling does not have a neck pain,6 (5) active stretching for neck is likely to have an important effect and
significant treatment effect on functional pain,12 and (6) percutaneous electrical is likely to change the estimate; therefore,
outcomes (very low–quality evidence; ef- nerve stimulation for chronic lower back the findings should be interpreted
fect size [SMD], –0.01; 95% CI: –0.49, pain.33 accordingly. Also, our results are limited
0.47). Yet, it does not appear that there Dry needling is a passive modality, to the studies included in the review. The
is any significant effect in favor of other and this review suggests that it may present findings cannot be generalized
interventions that were utilized in the be most effective in reducing pain to different patient populations treated
studies included in this review. and increasing PPT and functional by different practitioners with varied
To our knowledge, this review is the outcomes in the immediate to 12-week training in dry needling.
47-03 Gattie.indd 147 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

[ research report ]
CONCLUSION benefit of dry needling is currently tients with myofascial chronic neck pain: a
lacking. single-blind, randomized pilot study. Pain
B
ased on the GRADE approach,3 IMPLICATIONS: Dry needling appears to be Res Treat. 2015;2015:327307. https://doi.
org/10.1155/2015/327307
very low– to moderate-quality evi- at least as effective as other treatments
7. Casanueva B, Rivas P, Rodero B, Quintial C, Llor-
dence from studies in a variety of included in this review, and more ca J, González-Gay MA. Short-term improvement
musculoskeletal conditions strongly sug- effective than sham or no treatment following dry needle stimulation of tender points
gests that dry needling performed by for reducing pain and increasing PPT in fibromyalgia. Rheumatol Int. 2014;34:861-866.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-013-2759-3
physical therapists is more effective than during the immediate to 12-week
8. Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the
no treatment or sham dry needling for treatment period in patients with Behavioral Sciences. 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Law-
reducing pain, improving PPT, and im- musculoskeletal pain. rence Erlbaum Associates; 1988.
proving functional outcomes in the im- CAUTION: The overall quality and 9. Dommerholt J, Bron C, Franssen J. Myofascial
trigger points: an evidence-informed review. J
mediate to 12-week follow-up period. limited number of studies reporting
Man Manip Ther. 2006;14:203-221. https://doi.
Although findings of this review on dry needling performed by physical org/10.1179/106698106790819991
provide very low– to moderate- therapists at this time, combined with 10. Dommerholt J, Grieve R, Layton M, Hooks T. An
quality evidence for the effectiveness the high heterogeneity found in the evidence-informed review of the current myofas-
cial pain literature – January 2015. J Bodyw Mov
of dry needling for reducing pain and results of the meta-analyses, indicate
Ther. 2015;19:126-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
improving PPT when compared to other that readers should use caution when jbmt.2014.11.006
physical therapy interventions during interpreting these results. 11. Dunning J, Butts R, Mourad F, Young I, Flannagan
the immediate to 12-week follow-up S, Perreault T. Dry needling: a literature review
with implications for clinical practice guidelines.

period, the small effect sizes and the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors would like
Phys Ther Rev. 2014;19:252-265. https://doi.org/
varied study populations and comparison to thank Debbie Booth for her advice with 10.1179/108331913X13844245102034
interventions utilized do not support a search design and Kelly Lavallee, Sebastian 12. Edwards J, Knowles N. Superficial dry needling
strong recommendation of dry needling Sabadis, PT, and Jodi Young, PT, for their and active stretching in the treatment of myo-
fascial pain – a randomised controlled trial.
over other physical therapy interventions. contributions during the study selection and
Acupunct Med. 2003;21:80-86.
For functional outcomes, there was no quality assessment. 13. Furlan AD, van Tulder M, Cherkin D, et al. Acu-
effect of dry needling compared to other puncture and dry-needling for low back pain: an
treatments. Further high-quality studies updated systematic review within the framework
with long-term outcomes are needed to REFERENCES of the Cochrane Collaboration. Spine (Phila Pa
1976). 2005;30:944-963.
determine the long-term effectiveness 14. Guyatt GH, Oxman AD, Vist GE, et al. GRADE:
1. A lvarez DJ, Rockwell PG. Trigger points: diag-
of dry needling compared to other nosis and management. Am Fam Physician. an emerging consensus on rating quality of evi-
commonly utilized physical therapy 2002;65:653-660. dence and strength of recommendations. BMJ.
2. Arias-Buría JL, Valero-Alcaide R, Cleland JA, et 2008;336:924-926. https://doi.org/10.1136/
interventions on musculoskeletal pain,
al. Inclusion of trigger point dry needling in a bmj.39489.470347.AD
as few of the included studies reported 15. Higgins JP, Green S. Cochrane Handbook for
multimodal physical therapy program for post-
long-term outcomes. operative shoulder pain: a randomized clinical Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version
trial. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2015;38:179- 5.1.0. Oxford, UK: The Cochrane Collaboration;
2011.
KEY POINTS 187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2014.11.007
3. Balshem H, Helfand M, Schünemann HJ, et 16. Higgins JP, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG.
FINDINGS: Very low– to moderate-quality Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ.
al. GRADE guidelines: 3. Rating the quality of
evidence suggests that dry needling evidence. J Clin Epidemiol. 2011;64:401-406. 2003;327:557-560. https://doi.org/10.1136/
performed by physical therapists is https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2010.07.015 bmj.327.7414.557
4. Boyles R, Fowler R, Ramsey D, Burrows E. Effec- 17. Hsieh YL, Kao MJ, Kuan TS, Chen SM, Chen
more effective than no treatment,
tiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple JT, Hong CZ. Dry needling to a key myofas-
sham dry needling, or other treatments body regions: a systematic review. J Man Manip cial trigger point may reduce the irritability
for reducing pain and improving Ther. 2015;23:276-293. https://doi.org/10.1179/2 of satellite MTrPs. Am J Phys Med Rehabil.
PPT in patients presenting with 042618615Y.0000000014 2007;86:397-403. https://doi.org/10.1097/
5. Cagnie B, Castelein B, Pollie F, Steelant L, PHM.0b013e31804a554d
musculoskeletal pain in the immediate
Verhoeyen H, Cools A. Evidence for the use 18. Huguenin L, Brukner PD, McCrory P, Smith P,
to 12-week follow-up period. Very of ischemic compression and dry needling Wajswelner H, Bennell K. Effect of dry needling
low– to low-quality evidence suggests in the management of trigger points of the of gluteal muscles on straight leg raise: a ran-
superior outcomes with dry needling for upper trapezius in patients with neck pain: a domised, placebo controlled, double blind trial.
systematic review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. Br J Sports Med. 2005;39:84-90. https://doi.
functional outcomes when compared to
2015;94:573-583. https://doi.org/10.1097/ org/10.1136/bjsm.2003.009431
no treatment or sham needling, but no PHM.0000000000000266 19. Irnich D, Behrens N, Gleditsch JM, et al. Immedi-
difference in functional outcomes when 6. Campa-Moran I, Rey-Gudin E, Fernández- ate effects of dry needling and acupuncture at
compared to other physical therapy Carnero J, et al. Comparison of dry needling distant points in chronic neck pain: results of
versus orthopedic manual therapy in pa- a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled
treatments. Evidence of the long-term
47-03 Gattie.indd 148 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

crossover trial. Pain. 2002;99:83-89. https://doi. Santiago R, Truyols-Domínguez S, Fernández- syndrome: controlled clinical trial. Fisioter Mov.
org/10.1016/S0304-3959(02)00062-3 de-las-Peñas C. Short-term changes in neck 2014;27:515-522. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-
20. Kietrys DM, Palombaro KM, Azzaretto E, et pain, widespread pressure pain sensitivity, and 5150.027.004.AO03
al. Effectiveness of dry needling for upper- cervical range of motion after the application of 37. Saragiotto BT, Maher CG, Yamato TP, et al. Mo-
quarter myofascial pain: a systematic review trigger point dry needling in patients with acute tor control exercise for nonspecific low back
and meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. mechanical neck pain: a randomized clinical pain: a Cochrane Review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).
2013;43:620-634. https://doi.org/10.2519/ trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44:252-
2016;41:1284-1295. https://doi.org/10.1097/
jospt.2013.4668 260. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.5108
BRS.0000000000001645
21. Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of ob- 29. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG.
server agreement for categorical data. Biomet- 38. Sterling M, Vicenzino B, Souvlis T, Con-
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews
rics. 1977;33:159-174. and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. nelly LB. Dry-needling and exercise for chronic
22. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, et al. The PLoS Med. 2009;6:e1000097. https://doi. whiplash-associated disorders: a randomized
PRISMA statement for reporting systematic org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097 single-blind placebo-controlled trial. Pain.
reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evalu- 30. Morihisa R, Eskew J, McNamara A, Young J. 2015;156:635-643. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.j.p
ate healthcare interventions: explanation and Dry needling in subjects with muscular trigger ain.0000460359.40116.c1
elaboration. BMJ. 2009;339:b2700. https://doi. points in the lower quarter: a systematic review. 39. Takeshima N, Sozu T, Tajika A, Ogawa Y, Hayasa-
org/10.1136/bmj.b2700 Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11:1-14. ka Y, Furukawa TA. Which is more generalizable,
23. Liu L, Huang QM, Liu QG, et al. Effectiveness 31. Ong J, Claydon LS. The effect of dry needling for powerful and interpretable in meta-analyses,
of dry needling for myofascial trigger points myofascial trigger points in the neck and shoul- mean difference or standardized mean differ-
associated with neck and shoulder pain: a ders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J ence? BMC Med Res Methodol. 2014;14:30.
systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Phys Bodyw Mov Ther. 2014;18:390-398. https://doi.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-14-30
Med Rehabil. 2015;96:944-955. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.11.009
40. Tough EA, White AR. Effectiveness of acupunc-
org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.015 32. Pecos-Martín D, Montañez-Aguilera FJ, Gallego-
ture/dry needling for myofascial trigger point
24. Llamas-Ramos R, Pecos-Martín D, Gallego- Izquierdo T, et al. Effectiveness of dry needling

Izquierdo T, et al. Comparison of the short-term on the lower trapezius in patients with me- pain. Phys Ther Rev. 2011;16:147-154. https://
outcomes between trigger point dry needling chanical neck pain: a randomized controlled doi.org/10.1179/1743288X11Y.0000000007
and trigger point manual therapy for the man- trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015;96:775-781. 41. Tsai CT, Hsieh LF, Kuan TS, Kao MJ, Chou LW,
agement of chronic mechanical neck pain: a https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2014.12.016 Hong CZ. Remote effects of dry needling on the
randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys 33. Pérez-Palomares S, Oliván-Blázquez B, Ma- irritability of the myofascial trigger point in the
Ther. 2014;44:852-861. https://doi.org/10.2519/ gallón-Botaya R, et al. Percutaneous electrical upper trapezius muscle. Am J Phys Med Reha-
jospt.2014.5229 nerve stimulation versus dry needling: effective- bil. 2010;89:133-140. https://doi.org/10.1097/
25. Lucas N, Macaskill P, Irwig L, Moran R, Bog- ness in the treatment of chronic low back pain. J PHM.0b013e3181a5b1bc
duk N. Reliability of physical examination Musculoskelet Pain. 2010;18:23-30. https://doi. 42. Venâncio RA, Alencar FG, Zamperini C. Differ-
for diagnosis of myofascial trigger points: org/10.3109/10582450903496047 ent substances and dry-needling injections in
34.
a systematic review of the literature. Clin J Sackett DL, Straus SE, Richardson WS.
patients with myofascial pain and headaches.
Pain. 2009;25:80-89. https://doi.org/10.1097/ Evidence-Based Medicine: How to Practice and
Cranio. 2008;26:96-103. https://doi.org/10.1179/
AJP.0b013e31817e13b6 Teach EBM. 2nd ed. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill
crn.2008.014
26. Maher CG, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Moseley Livingstone; 2000.
AM, Elkins M. Reliability of the PEDro scale for 35. Salom-Moreno J, Ayuso-Casado B, Tamaral- 43. Ziaeifar M, Arab AM, Karimi N, Nourbakhsh
rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Costa B, Sánchez-Milá Z, Fernández de-las- MR. The effect of dry needling on pain, pressure
Phys Ther. 2003;83:713-721. Peñas C, Alburquerque-Sendín F. Trigger point pain threshold and disability in patients with a
27. Mayoral O, Salvat I, Martín MT, et al. Efficacy dry needling and proprioceptive exercises for myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius
of myofascial trigger point dry needling in the management of chronic ankle instability: a muscle. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2014;18:298-305.
the prevention of pain after total knee arthro- randomized clinical trial. Evid Based Comple- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.11.004
plasty: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo- ment Alternat Med. 2015;2015:790209. https://
controlled trial. Evid Based Complement doi.org/10.1155/2015/790209
@ MORE INFORMATION
Alternat Med. 2013;2013:694941. https://doi. 36. Santos RB, Carneiro MI, Oliveira DM, Maciel AB,
org/10.1155/2013/694941 Monte-Silva KK, Araújo MG. Impact of dry nee-
28. Mejuto-Vázquez MJ, Salom-Moreno J, Ortega- dling and ischemic pressure in the myofascial WWW.JOSPT.ORG
DOWNLOAD PowerPoint Slides of JOSPT Figures

JOSPT offers PowerPoint slides of figures to accompany all full-text articles
with figures on JOSPT’s website (www.jospt.org). These slides are generated
automatically by the site, and can be downloaded and saved. They include
the article title, authors, and full citation. JOSPT offers full-text format for
all articles published from January 2010 to date.
47-03 Gattie.indd 149 2/14/2017 4:56:22 PM

APPENDIX
SEARCH STRATEGY FOR MEDLINE
1 Dry needl*.mp
2 intramuscular adj3 stimulation
3 or 1-2
4 random*.tw.
5 group*.tw.
6 trial.tw
7 randomized controlled trial.pt
8 controlled clinical trial.pt
9 or 4-8
10 3 and 9
11 Limit to humans
journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy | volume 47 | number 3 | march 2017 | A1
47-03 Gattie.indd 1 2/14/2017 4:56:22 PM

jospt perspectives for practice
Trigger Point Dry Needling

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(3):150. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0502
I
ncreasingly, physical therapists in the United States and March 2017 issue of JOSPT1 identified the need for a sys-
throughout the world are using dry needling to treat tematic review examining the effectiveness of dry needling
musculoskeletal pain, even though this treatment has performed by physical therapists on people with musculo-
been a controversial addition to practice. To better gen- skeletal pain. Their review offers a meta-analysis of data
eralize to physical therapy practice the findings about from several included studies and assesses the evidence for
dry needling thus far, the authors of a study published in the risks of bias.
WHAT WE KNEW
Previous reviews support the effectiveness of dry
needling on reducing pain when compared to sham

or placebo treatments, but are not specific to dry
needling performed by physical therapists.
WHAT WE ASKED
“Is dry needling delivered by a physical therapist
an effective treatment for reducing pain, improving
pressure pain threshold, and improving functional

outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal pain?”
WHAT WE FOUND
The authors scrutinized 13 randomized controlled
studies that examined the effectiveness of dry
needling on musculoskeletal pain. They found
that, to date, most of the evidence is of very low to
moderate quality. There are also risks of bias in the
EVIDENCE SHOWS SHORT-TERM EFFECTIVENESS. The available evidence suggests that dry needling helps available research. Further, very little evidence exists
reduce pain, increases pressure pain threshold, and improves function in the immediate to 12-week treatment regarding the longer-term benefits of dry needling,
period for patients with musculoskeletal pain. or that guides optimal treatment techniques and
dosing.
BOTTOM LINE FOR PRACTICE WHAT WE KNOW NOW

The results of this systematic review indicate that dry needling may be an effective At present, only a small number of trials have
examined dry needling in physical therapy, and
intervention for appropriate patients with musculoskeletal pain. At the same time,
these are of very low to moderate quality. When
the very low to moderate quality of the evidence limits the strength of conclusions considering data from physical therapist practice
that can be drawn, and optimal treatment techniques and dosing are not known. and compared with sham or no treatment, dry
Dry needling appears to be more effective than sham, control, or other assessed needling appears to be effective for reducing pain,
increasing pressure pain threshold, and improving
treatments for improving pressure pain threshold, and more effective than sham
function during the immediate to 12-week treatment
or control for reducing pain in the short term. However, dry needling is neither period in patients with musculoskeletal pain, but
more successful than other assessed treatments beyond 12 weeks nor more helpful not during the longer term. Further, dry needling
for improving functional outcomes. seems no more helpful than other treatments
included in this review for improving function—
treatments such as exercise/soft tissue mobilization/
This JOSPT Perspectives for Practice was based joint mobilization, proprioception/strengthening,
REFERENCE on an article by Gattie et al1 and was produced ischemic compression techniques, orthopaedic
1. Gattie E, Cleland JA, Snodgrass S. The effective- by a team of JOSPT’s Special Features Editorial manual therapy, active stretching, and percutaneous
ness of trigger point dry needling for muscu- Board and staff, led by co-editors Kathryn Sibley, electrical nerve stimulation. More rigorous
loskeletal conditions by physical therapists: a PhD, and Linda Li, PT, PhD, and by Editor-in- research is needed to confirm the efficacy of dry
systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Chief J. Haxby Abbott, DPT, PhD, FNZCP, using needling overall, and to investigate its longer-term
Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47:133-149. https://doi. material contributed by the authors of the original effectiveness.
org/10.2519/jospt.2017.7096 research report.1
JOSPT PERSPECTIVES FOR PRACTICE is a service of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®. The information and recommendations
summarize the impact for practice of the referenced research article. For a full discussion of the findings, please see the article itself. JOSPT is the official
journal of the Orthopaedic Section and the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and a recognized journal
with 37 international partners. JOSPT strives to offer high-quality research, immediately applicable clinical material, and useful supplemental information on
musculoskeletal and sports-related health, injury, and rehabilitation. Copyright ©2017 Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy ®
47-03 Perspectives for Practice.indd 150 2/14/2017 4:57:26 PM

This article has been cited by:
1. Pol Monclús, Marc Bosque, Ramón Margalef, M. Teresa Colomina, Francisco J. Valderrama‐Canales, Laia Just, Manel
M. Santafé. 2023. Shock waves as treatment of mouse myofascial trigger points. Pain Practice 23:7, 724-733. [Crossref]
2. Michael Vitt, Sarah Macaraeg, Zachary Stapleton, Angeli Mata, Brendon S. Ross. 2023. Ultrasound verification of
palpation-based dry needling techniques of rotator cuff muscles: a prospective feasibility trial. Journal of Manual &
Manipulative Therapy 1, 1-7. [Crossref]
3. Md Shafiullah Prodhania, Gias Uddin Ahsan, Mohammad Ali. 2023. Physiotherapy combined with dry needling among
patients with chronic low back pain: Study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials
Communications 34, 101170. [Crossref]
4. T. Hotfiel, M. Engelhardt, H. Gaulrapp, C. Lutter, C. Grim. 2023. Muskuloskelettale Punktionen und Infiltrationen –
Besonderheiten im Sport. Sports Orthopaedics and Traumatology 52. . [Crossref]
5. Anthony N Baumann, Andrew Fiorentino, Caleb J Oleson, John Martin Leland. 2023. The Impact of Dry Needling With
Electrical Stimulation on Pain and Disability in Patients With Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Cureus 11. . [Crossref]
6. Christos Fakontis, Paris Iakovidis, Dimitrios Lytras, Konstantinos Kasimis, Georgios Koutras, Stefania Rafailia Ntinou,
Anastasios Kottaras, Ioanna P. Chatziprodromidou, Paraskevi Chatzikonstantinou, Thomas Apostolou. 2023. Efficacy
of percutaneous needle electrolysis versus dry needling in musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 10, 1-14. [Crossref]
7. Anle Xu, Qiangmin Huang, Jifeng Rong, Xuejiao Wu, Meikui Deng, Lijuan Ji. 2023. Effectiveness of ischemic
compression on myofascial trigger points in relieving neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Back
and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 36:4, 783-798. [Crossref]
8. Andres Rojas-Jaramillo, Daniel Quintero-Lotero, Camilo Garcia-Torres, Jorge L. Petro, Diego A. Bonilla. 2023. Acute
Effects of Dry Needling on Lower Limb Muscle Strength in CrossFit Athletes with Latent Trigger Points: A Randomized
Triple-Blinded Pilot Clinical Trial. Physical Education Theory and Methodology 23:3, 412-422. [Crossref]
9. John W Ware, Kenny Venere, Stephanie A Miller, Heather Freeman, David A Scalzitti, Thomas Hoogeboom. 2023.
A Systematic Appraisal of Conflicts of Interest and Researcher Allegiance in Clinical Studies of Dry Needling for
Musculoskeletal Pain Disorders. Physical Therapy 103:6. . [Crossref]
10. Hong Liu, Ya-Ping Li, Mei-Jin Hou, Wu-Jie Huang, Xiao-Lin Chen, Zhen Gao, Zheng Jiang. 2023. Effect of trigger
point acupuncture on pain and functional activity in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: a randomised
controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine 41:3, 130-141. [Crossref]
11. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero, Sandra Sánchez-Jorge, Jorge Buffet-García, Umut Varol, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Javier
Álvarez-González. 2023. Changes in stiffness at active myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius after dry needling
in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine 41:3, 121-129. [Crossref]
12. Jin Wang, Yuelun Zhang, Xulei Cui, Le Shen. 2023. Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency versus dry needling for pain
management in chronic neck and shoulder myofascial pain syndrome patients at a tertiary hospital in China: a randomised
controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open 13:5, e071422. [Crossref]
13. Juan Antonio Valera‐Calero, Marcos José Navarro‐Santana, César Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas, Umut Varol, Ibai López‐de‐
Uralde‐Villanueva, Elena Sonsoles Rodríguez‐López, Gustavo Plaza‐Manzano. 2023. Inclusion of cross‐sectional and
radiological images for better understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy and decreasing the risk of adverse events during
dry needling in undergraduate physiotherapy students. Anatomical Sciences Education 16:3, 521-530. [Crossref]
14. Ana Isabel Benito-de-Pedro, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias, David Rodríguez-Sanz,
César Calvo-Lobo, María Benito-de-Pedro. 2023. Efficacy of Deep Dry Needling versus Percutaneous Electrolysis in
Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Active Myofascial Trigger Points of the Levator Scapulae in Short-Term: A Randomized
Controlled Trial. Life 13:4, 939. [Crossref]
15. Pablo Becerra-Yañez, Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés, Ricardo López, Morín Ortiz, Martín Pérez, Carlos Cruz-Montecinos. 2023.
Treadmill exercise post dry needling improves heel rise in patients recovering from surgical ankle fracture: A randomised
controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 34, 60-65. [Crossref]
16. Adnan Balisi, Vince Paul Lobaton, Jhonas Santi A. Jegira, Dane Marie O. Debulgado, Mae Adrinne Tumonong, Christian
James Brillas, Ritchie Belle S. Gelito, Mychelle Rae R. Marasigan. 2023. Effectiveness of Vacuotherapy and Dry Needling
as Adjunct Treatment for Musculoskeletal Cases: A Cohort in a PT Clinic. Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy 13-20.
[Crossref]
17. Krzysztof Konior, Aleksandra Bitenc-Jasiejko, Danuta Lietz-Kijak, Piotr Skomro, Małgorzata Kowacka, Konrad Kijak,
Zbigniew Śliwiński. 2023. Multimodal programmes in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) – a two-step
review. Fizjoterapia Polska 23:1, 187-202. [Crossref]
18. Gary A. Kearns, Jean-Michel Brismée, Sean P. Riley, Sharon Wang-Price, Thomas Denninger, Margaret Vugrin. 2023.
Lack of standardization in dry needling dosage and adverse event documentation limits outcome and safety reports: a
scoping review of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 31:2, 72-83. [Crossref]
19. Marjolein Chys, Kayleigh De Meulemeester, Indra De Greef, Carlos Murillo, Wouter Kindt, Yassir Kouzouz, Bavo
Lescroart, Barbara Cagnie. 2023. Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain—An
Umbrella Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine 12:3, 1205. [Crossref]
20. Shiloh Plaut. 2023. Suggesting a mechanism for acupuncture as a global percutaneous needle fasciotomy that respects
tensegrity principles for treating fibromyalgia. Frontiers in Medicine 9. . [Crossref]
21. David Griswold, Ken Learman, Edmund Ickert, Derek Clewley, Megan B. Donaldson, Mark Wilhelm, Joshua Cleland.
2023. Comparing dry needling or local acupuncture to various wet needling injection types for musculoskeletal pain and
disability. A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Disability and Rehabilitation 78, 1-15. [Crossref]
22. Adin William Mizer, Stephen S. Rossettie, Mimi Zumwalt. Alternative Treatment Modalities for the Active Female with
Musculoskeletal Pain 169-180. [Crossref]
23. Shibili Nuhmani, Moazzam Hussain Khan, Mohammad Ahsan, Turki Saeed Abualait, Qassim Muaidi. 2023. Dry needling
in the management of tendinopathy: A systematic review of randomized control trials. Journal of Bodywork and Movement
Therapies 33, 128-135. [Crossref]

24. Gloria Beim, Kyle R. Brena, Bridget Holroyd Jones, Adam Lindsay, William Sterett, Jared D. Heinze. Taking a Holistic
Approach to Treating Endurance Athletes 3-18. [Crossref]
25. Kathryn Thomas. Blood Flow Restriction and Other Innovations in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 237-266. [Crossref]
26. Ning Luo, Rongrong Li, Baitian Fu, Yichen Zeng, Jianqiao Fang. 2023. Bibliometric and Visual Analysis in the Field of
Dry Needling for Myofascial Pain Syndrome from 2000 to 2022. Journal of Pain Research Volume 16, 2461-2475. [Crossref]
27. Felipe C.K. Duarte, Richard Chien, Golnaz Ghazinour, Kent Murnaghan, Daniel W.D. West, Dinesh A. Kumbhare. 2023.
Myofascial Pain as an Unseen Comorbidity in Osteoarthritis. The Clinical Journal of Pain 39:4, 188-201. [Crossref]
28. Akın SÜZER, Nevriye ÜNAL SÜZER, Raziye ŞAVKIN, Nihal BÜKER. 2022. Popular Complementary and Alternative
Therapy Methods in Different Conditions. International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Research
3:3, 201-211. [Crossref]
29. Dhinu J. Jayaseelan, Brian T. Faller, Melinda H. Avery. 2022. The utilization and effects of filiform dry needling in the
management of tendinopathy: a systematic review. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 38:12, 1876-1888. [Crossref]
30. Gary A. Kearns, Micah Lierly, Robert H. Posteraro, Kerry K. Gilbert. 2022. Correlation between thoracic kyphosis and
dry needle length required to reach the pleural space needling the upper trapezius: A cadaveric fluoroscopic assessment.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 62, 102622. [Crossref]
31. Ardalan Shariat, Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi, Zahra Soroush Fard, Amin Nakhostin-Ansari, Brandon S. Shaw. 2022.
A systematic review with meta-analysis on balance, fatigue, and motor function following aquatic therapy in patients with
multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 68, 104107. [Crossref]
32. Marta Wanat, Bernadetta Nowak, Ada Świątko, Karol Mirkowski, Jurand Domański, Paweł Dąbrowski, Zygmunt
Domagała. 2022. Trigger points in medical practice - current therapeutic directions. Medical Journal of Cell Biology 10:4,
129-137. [Crossref]
33. D. Vázquez-Justes, R. Yarzábal-Rodríguez, V. Doménech-García, P. Herrero, P. Bellosta-López. 2022. Análisis de la
efectividad de la técnica de punción seca en cefaleas: revisión sistemática. Neurología 37:9, 806-815. [Crossref]
34. D. Vázquez-Justes, R. Yarzábal-Rodríguez, V. Doménech-García, P. Herrero, P. Bellosta-López. 2022. Effectiveness of
dry needling for headache: A systematic review. Neurología (English Edition) 37:9, 806-815. [Crossref]
35. Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi, Ardalan Shariat, Jan Dommerholt, Azadeh Hakakzadeh, Amin Nakhostin-Ansari,
Maryam Selk-Ghaffari, Lee Ingle, Joshua A Cleland. 2022. Aquatic Therapy for improving Lower Limbs Function in
Post-stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation 29:7, 473-489. [Crossref]
36. David Lucena-Anton, Carlos Luque-Moreno, Jesus Valencia-Medero, Cristina Garcia-Munoz, Jose A. Moral-Munoz.
2022. Effectiveness of Dry Needling of Myofascial Trigger Points in the Triceps Surae Muscles: Systematic Review.
Healthcare 10:10, 1862. [Crossref]
37. Megan Porter, David Griswold, Frank Gargano, Edmund Ickert, Ken Learman. 2022. Immediate effects of superficial dry
needling of the trigeminal nerve innervation field for participants with cervicogenic headache. A randomized controlled
trial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 18, 1-9. [Crossref]
38. Jorge Velázquez Saornil, Zacarías Sánchez Milá, Angélica M. Campón Chekroun, Luis Baraja Vegas, Juan Vicente Mampel,
Raúl Frutos Llanes, José Manuel Barragán Casas, David Rodríguez-Sanz. 2022. Comparative Study of the Efficacy of
Hyaluronic Acid, Dry Needling and Combined Treatment in Patellar Osteoarthritis—Single-Blind Randomized Clinical
Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19:17, 10912. [Crossref]
39. Maryam Salimi, Rojin Sarallah, Salar Javanshir, Seyed Peyman Mirghaderi, Amirhossein Salimi, Shokoufeh Khanzadeh.
2022. Complication of lengthening and the role of post-operative care, physical and psychological rehabilitation among
fibula hemimelia. World Journal of Clinical Cases 10:24, 8482-8489. [Crossref]
40. D. Bosch. 2022. Dry needling. EMC - Medicina Riabilitativa 29:3, 1-7. [Crossref]
41. César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Jorge Sanchez-Infante, Guido F Gómez-Chiguano, Joshua A
Cleland, José L Arias-Buría, Marcos J Navarro-Santana. 2022. The importance of the local twitch response during needling
interventions in spinal pain associated with myofascial trigger points: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupuncture
in Medicine 40:4, 299-311. [Crossref]
42. Juan Antonio Valera-Calero, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Marcos José Navarro-Santana, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano. 2022.
Efficacy of Dry Needling and Acupuncture in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19:16, 9904. [Crossref]
43. D. Bosch. 2022. Punción seca. EMC - Kinesiterapia - Medicina Física 43:3, 1-7. [Crossref]
44. Cody J. Mansfield, Adam Culiver, Matthew Briggs, Laura C. Schmitt, Dustin R. Grooms, James Oñate. 2022. The effects
of knee osteoarthritis on neural activity during a motor task: A scoping systematic review. Gait & Posture 96, 221-235.
[Crossref]
45. Aqsa Maqsood, Muhammad Asim Arif, Hafiz Syed Ijaz Ahmed Burq, Rabia Jawa, Muhammad Rizwan, Tooba Amin.
2022. The Effects of Conventional Physical Therapy with and Without Dry Needling on Pain, Range of Motions
and Functional Disability in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome. Pakistan BioMedical Journal 15, 250-253.
[Crossref]
46. Daniel Tassinari Felber, Rafael Tamborena Malheiros, Victor Novo Tentardini, Andréia Caroline Fernandes Salgueiro,
Francisco José Cidral-Filho, Morgana Duarte da Silva. 2022. Dry needling increases antioxidant activity and grip force in
a rat model of muscle pain. Acupuncture in Medicine 40:3, 241-248. [Crossref]
47. Danilo Harudy Kamonseki, Erika Plonczynski Lopes, Hedwig Aleida van der Meer, Letícia Bojikian Calixtre. 2022.
Effectiveness of manual therapy in patients with tension-type headache. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Disability
and Rehabilitation 44:10, 1780-1789. [Crossref]
48. Shane L. Koppenhaver, Amelia M. Weaver, Tyler L Randall, Ryan J. Hollins, Brian A. Young, Jeffrey J. Hebert, Laurel
Proulx, Cesar Fernández-de-las-Peñas. 2022. Effect of dry needling on lumbar muscle stiffness in patients with low back
pain: A double blind, randomized controlled trial using shear wave elastography. Journal of Manual & Manipulative
Therapy 30:3, 154-164. [Crossref]
49. Merve Damla Korkmaz, Cansın Medin Ceylan. 2022. Effect of dry-needling and exercise treatment on myofascial trigger
point: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 47, 101571. [Crossref]
50. Sophie Vervullens, Lotte Meert, Isabel Baert, Nicolas Delrue, Christiaan H. W. Heusdens, Ann Hallemans, Tamaya
Van Criekinge, Rob J. E. M. Smeets, Kayleigh De Meulemeester. 2022. The effect of one dry needling session on pain,
central pain processing, muscle co-contraction and gait characteristics in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized
controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Pain 22:2, 396-409. [Crossref]
51. Inés Llamas-Ramos, Rocío Llamas-Ramos. Needling Therapies in the Outpatient Care: Adverse Effects . [Crossref]
52. María Blanco-Díaz, Rubén Ruiz-Redondo, Isabel Escobio-Prieto, Marta De la Fuente-Costa, Manuel Albornoz-Cabello,
José Casaña. 2022. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Subacromial Syndrome. Biology 11:2,
243. [Crossref]
53. A. A. Pilipovich. 2022. Neck pain: diagnostic and therapeutic features. Meditsinskiy sovet = Medical Council :21-1, 55-62.
[Crossref]
54. Kayleigh De Meulemeester, Patrick Calders, Barbara Cagnie. 2022. Exploring the Underlying Mechanisms of Action of
Dry Needling. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 101:1, 18-25. [Crossref]
55. Bobbette J Miller, Thubi HA Kolobe, Rebecca D Larson, Brian A Pribble, Gabriel Pardo, Shirley A James. 2022.
Functional intermuscular reduction in spasticity for people with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental,
Translational and Clinical 8:1, 205521732110615. [Crossref]
56. Darius McAphee, Michael Bagwell, Sue Falsone. 2022. Dry Needling: A Clinical Commentary. International Journal of
Sports Physical Therapy 17:4. . [Crossref]
57. Eric Schneider, Elizabeth S. Moore, Rob Stanborough, Emily Slaven. 2022. Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling on
Strength Measurements and Activation Levels of the Gluteus Medius: A Quasi-Experimental Randomized Control Study.
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 17:7. . [Crossref]
58. J. Sánchez-Infante, A. Bravo-Sánchez, F. Jiménez, J. Abián-Vicén. 2021. Effects of dry needling on mechanical and
contractile properties of the upper trapezius with latent myofascial trigger points: A randomized controlled trial.
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 56, 102456. [Crossref]
59. Mitchell R Voss, Rebecca L Donnay, Jennifer K Homa. 2021. The effects of dry needling on the thumb: A case report.
Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy 34:2, 132-136. [Crossref]
60. Carlos Cruz-Montecinos, Mauricio Cerda, Pablo Becerra, Claudio Tapia, Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés, Rodrigo Latorre-García,
Sandro R. Freitas, Antonio Cuesta-Vargas. 2021. Qualitative ultrasonography scale of the intensity of local twitch response
during dry needling and its association with modified joint range of motion: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskeletal
Disorders 22:1. . [Crossref]

61. Nadine Ijaz, Sandy Welsh, Heather Boon. 2021. A mixed-methods survey of physiotherapists who practice acupuncture and
dry needling in Ontario, Canada: practice characteristics, motivations, and professional outcomes. BMC Complementary
Medicine and Therapies 21:1. . [Crossref]
62. Luis Fernando Sousa Filho, Marta Maria Barbosa Santos, Gabriel Henrique Freire dos Santos, Walderi Monteiro da Silva
Júnior. 2021. Corticosteroid injection or dry needling for musculoskeletal pain and disability? A systematic review and
GRADE evidence synthesis. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 29:1. . [Crossref]
63. Nicola Sante Diciolla, Celia Pérez-Clemente, Marta Cámara-Caballero, Alberto Matienzo-Barreto, Alba Real-Rodríguez,
María Torres-Lacomba. 2021. Efficacy of Exercise on Postneedling Soreness: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal
of Clinical Medicine 10:23, 5527. [Crossref]

64. Mustafa Fatih Yasar, Elif Yaksi, Ramazan Kurul, Tugba Alisik, Zeynep Seker. 2021. Comparison of dry needling and
kinesio taping methods in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A single blinded randomised controlled study.
International Journal of Clinical Practice 75:10. . [Crossref]
65. Corrie Myburgh, Katrine Kildsgaard, Thomas Damsgaard, Kim Corfixen, Eleanor Boyle. 2021. Consistency of Dry-
Needling Interventions Across High-Quality Randomized Trials: A Critical Systematic Exploration of Intervention
Reporting and Fidelity. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 44:7, 546-557. [Crossref]
66. Simone Battista, Luca Buzzatti, Marialuisa Gandolfi, Cinzia Finocchi, Luca Falsiroli Maistrello, Antonello Viceconti,
Benedetto Giardulli, Marco Testa. 2021. The Use of Botulinum Toxin A as an Adjunctive Therapy in the Management
of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Toxins 13:9, 640. [Crossref]
67. Roselle R Bleck, Melanie A Gold, Carolyn L Westhoff. 2021. Training hour requirements to provide acupuncture in the
United States. Acupuncture in Medicine 39:4, 327-333. [Crossref]
68. Mireia Yeste-Fabregat, Luis Baraja-Vegas, Juan Vicente-Mampel, Marcelino Pérez-Bermejo, Iker J. Bautista González,
Carlos Barrios. 2021. Acute Effects of Tecar Therapy on Skin Temperature, Ankle Mobility and Hyperalgesia in
Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Professional Basketball Players: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health 18:16, 8756. [Crossref]
69. Rob Sillevis, Jacqueline Van Duijn, Eric Shamus, Matt Hard. 2021. Time effect for in-situ dry needling on the autonomic
nervous system, a pilot study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 37:7, 826-834. [Crossref]
70. Mohammadreza Farazdaghi, Amin Kordi yoosefinejad, Najmeh Abdollahian, Mahvash Rahimi, Alireza Motealleh. 2021.
Dry needling trigger points around knee and hip joints improves function in patients with mild to moderate knee
osteoarthritis. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 27, 597-604. [Crossref]
71. Jorge Sánchez-Infante, Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Fernando Jiménez, Javier Abián-Vicén. 2021. Effects of Dry Needling on
Muscle Stiffness in Latent Myofascial Trigger Points: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Pain 22:7, 817-825.
[Crossref]
72. Irene Lázaro-Navas, Cristina Lorenzo-Sánchez-Aguilera, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Jose Jesús Jiménez-Rejano, Marcos Jose
Navarro-Santana, Josué Fernández-Carnero, Tomás Gallego-Izquierdo. 2021. Immediate Effects of Dry Needling on
the Autonomic Nervous System and Mechanical Hyperalgesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health 18:11, 6018. [Crossref]
73. Claudia Pignatti Frederice, Luiz Gustavo Oliveira Brito, Glaucia Miranda Varella Pereira, Anna Lygia Barbosa Lunardi,
Cássia Raquel Teatin Juliato. 2021. Interventional treatment for myofascial pelvic floor pain in women: systematic review
with meta-analysis. International Urogynecology Journal 32:5, 1087-1096. [Crossref]
74. Daniel M. Cushman, Keith Cummings, Lee Skinner, Anna Holman, Peter Haight, Matthew Brobeck, Masaru Teramoto,
Chi Tang. 2021. Postrace Dry Needling Does Not Reduce Subsequent Soreness and Cramping—A Randomized
Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 31:3, 225-231. [Crossref]

75. Wélia Yasmin Horacio dos Santos, Felipe J. Aidar, Dihogo Gama de Matos, Roland Van den Tillaar, Anderson Carlos
Marçal, Lázaro Fernandes Lobo, Lucas Soares Marcucci-Barbosa, Saulo da Cunha Machado, Paulo Francisco de Almeida-
Neto, Nuno Domingos Garrido, Victor Machado Reis, Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira, Breno Guilherme de Araújo
Tinoco Cabral, José Vilaça-Alves, Albená Nunes-Silva, Walderi Monteiro da Silva Júnior. 2021. Physiological and
Biochemical Evaluation of Different Types of Recovery in National Level Paralympic Powerlifting. International Journal
of Environmental Research and Public Health 18:10, 5155. [Crossref]

76. María Benito-de-Pedro, César Calvo-Lobo, Daniel López-López, Ana Isabel Benito-de-Pedro, Carlos Romero-Morales,
Marta San-Antolín, Davinia Vicente-Campos, David Rodríguez-Sanz. 2021. Electromyographic Assessment of the Efficacy
of Deep Dry Needling versus the Ischemic Compression Technique in Gastrocnemius of Medium-Distance Triathletes.
Sensors 21:9, 2906. [Crossref]
77. Alireza Kheradmandi, Fahimeh Kamali, Maryam Ebrahimian, Leila Abbasi. 2021. Comparison between dry needling
plus manual therapy with manual therapy alone on pain and function in overhead athletes with scapular dyskinesia: A
randomized clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 26, 339-346. [Crossref]
78. Lynn Matthews, Greg Ford, Ron Schenk, Michael Ross, Joseph Donnelly. 2021. Dry needling curricula in entry-level
education programs in the United States for physical therapists. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 29:2, 83-91.
[Crossref]
79. Jorge Sánchez-Infante, Marcos J Navarro-Santana, Alfredo Bravo-Sánchez, Fernando Jiménez-Diaz, Javier Abián-Vicén.
2021. Is Dry Needling Applied by Physical Therapists Effective for Pain in Musculoskeletal Conditions? A Systematic
Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical Therapy 101:3. . [Crossref]
80. Marcos J Navarro-Santana, Guido F Gómez-Chiguano, Joshua A Cleland, Jose L Arias-Buría, César Fernández-de-
las-Peñas, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano. 2021. Effects of Trigger Point Dry Needling for Nontraumatic Shoulder Pain of
Musculoskeletal Origin: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Physical Therapy 101:2. . [Crossref]
81. César Fernández-De-Las-Peñas, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Jorge Sanchez-Infante, Guido F Gómez-Chiguano, Joshua A
Cleland, José L. Arias-Buría, Ibai López-de-Uralde-Villanueva, Marcos J. Navarro-Santana. 2021. Is Dry Needling
Effective When Combined with Other Therapies for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck Pain Symptoms? A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Research and Management 2021, 1-24. [Crossref]
82. Álvaro Cuñado-González, Marta Ríos-León. 2021. Ultrasound-guided Dry Needling in Jumper’s Knee: A Case Report.
Physikalische Medizin, Rehabilitationsmedizin, Kurortmedizin 31:01, 53-58. [Crossref]
83. Eric Gattie, Joshua A. Cleland, Jeevan Pandya, Suzanne Snodgrass. 2021. Dry Needling Adds No Benefit to the Treatment
of Neck Pain: A Sham-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial With 1-Year Follow-up. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports
Physical Therapy 51:1, 37-45. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [PDF Plus]
84. Richard Thompson, Mårten Prosell, Toomas Timpka. 2021. Elite athletes’ experiences of musculoskeletal pain
management using neuroanatomical dry needling: A qualitative study in Swedish track and field. Journal of Science and
Medicine in Sport 24:1, 46-51. [Crossref]
85. Giancarlo DE LA TORRE CANALES, Mariana Barbosa CÂMARA-SOUZA, Rodrigo Lorenzi POLUHA, Cassia Maria
GRILLO, Paulo César Rodrigues CONTI, Maria da Luz Rosário de SOUSA, Renata Cunha Matheus RODRIGUES
GARCIA, Célia Marisa RIZZATTI-BARBOSA. 2021. Botulinum toxin type A and acupuncture for masticatory
myofascial pain: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Applied Oral Science 29. . [Crossref]
86. Rachel Bynum, Olivia Garcia, Emily Herbst, Mary Kossa, Katrina Liou, April Cowan, Claudia Hilton. 2021. Effects of
Dry Needling on Spasticity and Range of Motion: A Systematic Review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
75:1, 7501205030p1-7501205030p13. [Crossref]
87. Jennifer A Janowski, Deanna M L Phelan-Smith, Maria N Kroat Brady, Kelsey L Michels, Alexandra H Timm, Nicole
M Boucher, Kedron D Casteen, David Village, Mark D Sleeper. 2021. Acute Effects of Dry Needling on Myofascial
Trigger Points in the Triceps Surae of Ballet Dancers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of
Sports Physical Therapy 16:2. . [Crossref]
88. Isabel Sarmiento-Hernández, María de los Ángeles Pérez-Marín, Susana Nunez-Nagy, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Tomás
Gallego-Izquierdo, M Dolores Sosa-Reina. 2020. Effectiveness of Invasive Techniques in Patients with Fibromyalgia:
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Medicine 21:12, 3499-3511. [Crossref]
89. César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Albert Pérez-Bellmunt, Luis Llurda-Almuzara, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, Ana I De-la-
Llave-Rincón, Marcos J Navarro-Santana. 2020. Is Dry Needling Effective for the Management of Spasticity, Pain, and
Motor Function in Post-Stroke Patients? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Medicine 18. . [Crossref]
90. Matthew F. Funk, Aric J. Frisina-Deyo. 2020. Dry needling for spine related disorders: a scoping review. Chiropractic &
Manual Therapies 28:1. . [Crossref]
91. Adi Shani, Michal Granot, Gleb Mochalov, Bennidor Raviv, Nimrod Rahamimov. 2020. Matching actual treatment with
patient administration-route-preference improves analgesic response among acute low back pain patients—a randomized
prospective trial. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 15:1. . [Crossref]
92. Carlos Luque-Moreno, Anabel Granja-Domínguez, Jose A. Moral-Munoz, Guillermo Izquierdo-Ayuso, David Lucena-
Anton, Alberto Marcos Heredia-Rizo. 2020. Effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Placebo on Gait Performance, Spasticity,
Electromyographic Activity, Pain, Range-of-Movement and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A
Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol. Brain Sciences 10:12, 997. [Crossref]
93. Theodoros Loizidis, Thomas Nikodelis, El. Bakas, I. Kollias. 2020. The effects of dry needling on pain relief and functional
balance in patients with sub-chronic low back pain. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 33:6, 953-959.
[Crossref]
94. Khadijeh Otadi, Hadi Sarafraz, Shohreh Jalaie, Omid Rasouli. 2020. Combining Patient Education With Dry Needling
and Ischemic Compression for Treating Myofascial Trigger Points in Office Workers With Neck Pain: A Single-Blinded,
Randomized Trial. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine 16. . [Crossref]
95. Cristina Martín-Corrales, Irene Victoria Bautista, José Enrique Méndez-Mera, Rubén Fernández-Matías, Alexander
Achalandabaso-Ochoa, Tomás Gallego-Izquierdo, Susana Nuñez-Nagy, Daniel Pecos-Martín. 2020. Benefits of Adding
Gluteal Dry Needling to a Four-Week Physical Exercise Program in a Chronic Low Back Pain Population. A Randomized
Clinical Trial. Pain Medicine 21:11, 2948-2957. [Crossref]
96. Melissa Jack, Ryan Tierney, Jamie Mansell, Anne Russ. 2020. Dry Needling Versus Sham Needling for Myofascial Pain
Syndrome: A Critically Appraised Topic. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training 25:6, 289-293. [Crossref]
97. Marcos J Navarro-Santana, Jorge Sanchez-Infante, Guido F Gómez-Chiguano, Joshua A Cleland, Ibai López-de-Uralde-
Villanueva, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano. 2020. Effects of trigger point dry needling on lateral
epicondylalgia of musculoskeletal origin: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation 34:11, 1327-1340.
[Crossref]
98. Phichamon Khanittanuphong, Phichaporn Upho. 2020. Day of peak pain reduction by a single session of dry needling in
the upper trapezius myofascial trigger points: A 14 daily follow-up study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
24:4, 7-12. [Crossref]
99. Robert Gerwin. 2020. Chronic Facial Pain: Trigeminal Neuralgia, Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain, and Myofascial Pain
Syndrome—An Evidence-Based Narrative Review and Etiological Hypothesis. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health 17:19, 7012. [Crossref]
100. Marcos J. Navarro-Santana, Jorge Sanchez-Infante, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Joshua A. Cleland, Patricia Martín-
Casas, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano. 2020. Effectiveness of Dry Needling for Myofascial Trigger Points Associated with Neck
Pain Symptoms: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine 9:10, 3300. [Crossref]
101. Fábio Franciscatto Stieven, Giovanni Esteves Ferreira, Matheus Wiebusch, Francisco Xavier de Araújo, Luis Henrique
Telles da Rosa, Marcelo Faria Silva. 2020. Dry Needling Combined With Guideline-Based Physical Therapy Provides
No Added Benefit in the Management of Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Orthopaedic &
Sports Physical Therapy 50:8, 447-454. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [PDF Plus]
102. Semih Aki, Ali Veysel Özden, Hasan Kerem Alptekin, Jülide Öncü Alptekin. 2020. Short-term effects of chiropractic
application and dry needling treatment on chronic mechanical neck pain. Manuelle Medizin 58:4-5, 237-245. [Crossref]
103. Rafael Valencia-Chulián, Alberto M. Heredia-Rizo, Jose A. Moral-Munoz, David Lucena-Anton, Carlos Luque-Moreno.
2020. Dry needling for the management of spasticity, pain, and range of movement in adults after stroke: A systematic
review. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 52, 102515. [Crossref]
104. Youssef Rahou-El-Bachiri, Marcos J. Navarro-Santana, Guido F Gómez-Chiguano, Joshua A Cleland, Ibai López-de-
Uralde-Villanueva, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Ricardo Ortega-Santiago, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano. 2020. Effects of
Trigger Point Dry Needling for the Management of Knee Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Journal of Clinical Medicine 9:7, 2044. [Crossref]

105. Luis Ceballos-Laita, Sandra Jiménez-del-Barrio, Javier Marín-Zurdo, Alejandro Moreno-Calvo, Javier Marín-Boné, María
Isabel Albarova-Corral, Elena Estébanez-de-Miguel. 2020. Effects of dry needling on pain, pressure pain threshold and
psychological distress in patients with mild to moderate hip osteoarthritis: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled
trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 51, 102443. [Crossref]
106. Santiago Garcia-de-Miguel, Daniel Pecos-Martin, Tamara Larroca-Sanz, Beatriz Sanz-de-Vicente, Laura Garcia-Montes,
Ruben Fernandez-Matias, Tomas Gallego-Izquierdo. 2020. Short-Term Effects of PENS versus Dry Needling in Subjects
with Unilateral Mechanical Neck Pain and Active Myofascial Trigger Points in Levator Scapulae Muscle: A Randomized
Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine 9:6, 1665. [Crossref]
107. Jan Dommerholt, Jacob N. Thorp, Li-Wei Chou, Todd Hooks. 2020. A critical overview of the current myofascial pain
literature – January 2020. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 24:2, 213-224. [Crossref]
108. O. V. Shimarova, V. V. Malakhovskiy, V. G. Zilov. 2020. Pathophysiological substantiation of the complex approach to
rehabilitation of patients with myofascial pain syndrome of the neck region. Physical and rehabilitation medicine, medical
rehabilitation 2:1, 66-70. [Crossref]
109. CJ Mansfield, M Harr, M Briggs, J Onate, LC Boucher. 2020. Safety of dry needling to the upper lumbar spine: a pilot
cadaver study. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 28:2, 111-118. [Crossref]
110. Jan Dommerholt. 2020. How have the views on myofascial pain and its treatment evolved in the past 20 years? From spray
and stretch and injections to pain science, dry needling and fascial treatments. Pain Management 10:2, 63-66. [Crossref]
111. Zach Adams, Richard Stewart, Amanda Taylor, James R. Scifers. 2020. Dry Needling. Athletic Training & Sports Health
Care 12:2, 53-55. [Crossref]
112. Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Parisa Alaei, Soofia Naghdi, Zahra Fakhari, Shiva Komesh, Jan Dommerholt. 2020.
Immediate Effects of Dry Needling as a Novel Strategy for Hamstring Flexibility: A Single-Blinded Clinical Pilot Study.
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 29:2, 156-161. [Crossref]
113. Jerrold Petrofsky, Michael Laymon, Haneul Lee. 2020. Local heating of trigger points reduces neck and plantar fascia
pain. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 33:1, 21-28. [Crossref]
114. Jose Luis Arias-Buría, María M. Franco-Hidalgo-Chacón, Joshua A. Cleland, María Palacios-Ceña, Stella Fuensalida-
Novo, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas. 2020. Effects of Kinesio Taping on Post-Needling Induced Pain After Dry Needling
of Active Trigger Point in Individuals With Mechanical Neck Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
43:1, 32-42. [Crossref]
115. Kyle Matsel, Claire Davies, Tim Uhl. 2020. The Long-Term Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling and Exercise
for Individuals With Shoulder Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 1-6. [Crossref]
116. Carole A. Paley, Mark I. Johnson. 2020. Acupuncture for the Relief of Chronic Pain: A Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.
Medicina 56:1, 6. [Crossref]
117. Bonnie Huang Hall. Treatment Principles of Myofascial Pain Syndrome 255-260. [Crossref]
118. Mohammadreza Pourahmadi, Mohammad Ali Mohseni-Bandpei, Abbasali Keshtkar, Bart W. Koes, César Fernández-de-
Las-Peñas, Jan Dommerholt, Mehrdad Bahramian. 2019. Effectiveness of dry needling for improving pain and disability
in adults with tension-type, cervicogenic, or migraine headaches: protocol for a systematic review. Chiropractic & Manual
Therapies 27:1. . [Crossref]
119. Gillian Lauder, Nicholas West, Greg Siren. myoActivation: A Structured Process for Chronic Pain Resolution . [Crossref]
120. Adelaida M. Castro Sánchez, Hector García López, Manuel Fernández Sánchez, José Manuel Pérez Mármol, María
Encarnación Aguilar-Ferrándiz, Alejandro Luque Suárez, Guillermo Adolfo Matarán Peñarrocha. 2019. Improvement in
clinical outcomes after dry needling versus myofascial release on pain pressure thresholds, quality of life, fatigue, pain
intensity, quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Disability and Rehabilitation
41:19, 2235-2246. [Crossref]
121. Nesibe Doğan, İlker Şengül, Şeniz Akçay-Yalbuzdağ, Taciser Kaya. 2019. Kinesio taping versus dry needling in the
treatment of myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle: A randomized, single blind (evaluator), prospective study.
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 32:5, 819-827. [Crossref]
122. Marco Barbero, Alessandro Schneebeli, Eva Koetsier, Paolo Maino. 2019. Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points:
evaluation and treatment in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Current Opinion in Supportive & Palliative Care 13:3,
270-276. [Crossref]
123. Jennifer F. Mullins, Arthur J. Nitz, Matthew C. Hoch. 2019. The Effect of Dry Needling on Patient-Reported Outcomes
in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and
Training 24:5, 186-192. [Crossref]
124. Joseph Strunce, Stephen Spoonemore, Joseph Golding, Tarri Randall, Michael Krok, Steven Lee, Daniel Bordt, Wendy
Walker-Ferrell, Douglas Cordel. 2019. Physical rehabilitation therapists’ perspective of the opioid crisis with evidence-
based recommendations. Pain Management 9:5, 483-495. [Crossref]
125. Huijuan Tan, Steve Tumilty, Cathy Chapple, Lizhou Liu, Suzanne McDonough, Haiyan Yin, Shuguang Yu, G. David
Baxter. 2019. Understanding Acupoint Sensitization: A Narrative Review on Phenomena, Potential Mechanism, and
Clinical Application. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2019, 1-9. [Crossref]
126. Jennifer F. Mullins, Arthur J. Nitz, Matthew C. Hoch. 2019. Dry needling equilibration theory: A mechanistic explanation
for enhancing sensorimotor function in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 24,
1-10. [Crossref]
127. Derek Charles, Trey Hudgins, Josh MacNaughton, Eric Newman, Joanne Tan, Michael Wigger. 2019. A systematic
review of manual therapy techniques, dry cupping and dry needling in the reduction of myofascial pain and myofascial
trigger points. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 23:3, 539-546. [Crossref]
128. Luis Baraja-Vegas, Saúl Martín-Rodríguez, Francisco Piqueras-Sanchiz, José Faundez-Aguilera, Iker J Bautista, Carlos
Barrios, Maria Garcia-Escudero, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas. 2019. Localization of Muscle Edema and Changes on
Muscle Contractility After Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscle. Pain Medicine 20:7,
1387-1394. [Crossref]
129. Lesli Bell, Nicole L Stout, Mary Beth Geiser. 2019. Dry Needling for Chronic Breast/Chest Wall Pain After Breast Cancer
Treatment. Rehabilitation Oncology 37:3, E14-E16. [Crossref]
130. Ardalan Shariat, Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Joshua A. Cleland, Maria A. Fiatarone
Singh, Amir-Hossein Memari, Roshanak Honarpishe, Azadeh Hakakzadeh, Maryam Selk Ghaffari, Soofia Naghdi. 2019.
The effects of cycling with and without functional electrical stimulation on lower limb dysfunction in patients post-stroke:
A systematic review with meta-analysis. NeuroRehabilitation 44:3, 389-412. [Crossref]
131. D. Griswold, F. Gargano, K. E. Learman. 2019. A randomized clinical trial comparing non-thrust manipulation with
segmental and distal dry needling on pain, disability, and rate of recovery for patients with non-specific low back pain.
Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 27:3, 141-151. [Crossref]
132. D. Griswold, M. Wilhelm, M. Donaldson, K. Learman, J. Cleland. 2019. The effectiveness of superficial versus deep dry
needling or acupuncture for reducing pain and disability in individuals with spine-related painful conditions: a systematic
review with meta-analysis. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy 27:3, 128-140. [Crossref]
133. Sudarshan Anandkumar, Murugavel Manivasagam. 2019. Effect of dry needling on cubital tunnel syndrome: Three case
reports. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 35:4, 363-372. [Crossref]
134. Cody J. Mansfield, Lucas Vanetten, Richard Willy, Stephanie di Stasi, Robert Magnussen, Matthew Briggs. 2019. The
Effects of Needling Therapies on Muscle Force Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic
& Sports Physical Therapy 49:3, 154-170. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [PDF Plus]
135. Clécio Vier, Marina Barbosa de Almeida, Marcos Lisboa Neves, Adair Roberto Soares dos Santos, Marcelo Anderson
Bracht. 2019. The effectiveness of dry needling for patients with orofacial pain associated with temporomandibular
dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy 23:1, 3-11. [Crossref]
136. Aitor Martín‐Pintado‐Zugasti, Josué Fernández‐Carnero, Jose Vicente León‐Hernández, Cesar Calvo‐Lobo, Hector
Beltran‐Alacreu, Isabel Alguacil‐Diego, Tomás Gallego‐Izquierdo, Daniel Pecos‐Martin. 2018. Postneedling Soreness
and Tenderness After Different Dosages of Dry Needling of an Active Myofascial Trigger Point in Patients With Neck
Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PM&R 10:12, 1311-1320. [Crossref]
137. José L Arias-Buría, Carlos Martín-Saborido, Joshua Cleland, Shane L Koppenhaver, Gustavo Plaza-Manzano, César
Fernández-de-las-Peñas. 2018. Cost-effectiveness Evaluation of the Inclusion of Dry Needling into an Exercise Program
for Subacromial Pain Syndrome: Evidence from a Randomized Clinical Trial. Pain Medicine 19:12, 2336-2347. [Crossref]
138. Lida Hosseini, Ardalan Shariat, Maryam Selk Ghaffari, Roshanak Honarpishe, Joshua A. Cleland. 2018. The effect of
exercise therapy, dry needling, and nonfunctional electrical stimulation on radicular pain: a case report. Journal of Exercise
Rehabilitation 14:5, 864-869. [Crossref]

139. Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti, Orlando Mayoral del Moral, Robert D. Gerwin, Josue Fernández-Carnero. 2018. Post-
needling soreness after myofascial trigger point dry needling: Current status and future research. Journal of Bodywork and
Movement Therapies 22:4, 941-946. [Crossref]
140. Alberto Gaubeca-Gilarranz, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, José Raúl Medina-Torres, José M Seoane-Ruiz, Aurelio
Company-Palonés, Joshua A Cleland, Jose L Arias-Buría. 2018. Effectiveness of Dry Needling of Rectus Abdominis
Trigger Points for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhoea: A Randomised Parallel-Group Trial. Acupuncture in
Medicine 36:5, 302-310. [Crossref]
141. G. Lorimer Moseley, John Baranoff, Ebonie Rio, Mike Stewart, Wayne Derman, Brian Hainline. 2018.
Nonpharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Elite Athletes. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 28:5, 472-479.
[Crossref]
142. Stephen Gilmartin. 2018. Dry needling: A critical commentary of its effectiveness and safety profile. Physiotherapy Practice
and Research 39:2, 155-159. [Crossref]
143. Ardalan Shariat, Pardis Noormohammadpour, Amir Hossein Memari, Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari, Joshua A. Cleland,
Ramin Kordi. 2018. Acute effects of one session dry needling on a chronic golfer’s elbow disability. Journal of Exercise
Rehabilitation 14:1, 138-142. [Crossref]
144. . Therapie myofaszialer Schmerzsyndrome 45-75. [Crossref]
145. 2017. Trigger Point Dry Needling. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 47:3, 150-150. [Abstract] [Full Text]
[PDF] [PDF Plus]
146. Eric Robert Gattie, Joshua A Cleland, Suzanne J Snodgrass. 2017. Dry Needling for Patients With Neck Pain: Protocol
of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 6:11, e227. [Crossref]

The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling For Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry Needling For Musculoskeletal Conditions by Physical Therapists A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

[ research report ]

The Effectiveness of Trigger Point Dry

band of muscle. These

on functional outcomes, but not when compared

47-03 Gattie.indd 133 2/14/2017 4:56:15 PM

effects. Full-text articles assessed Full-text articles excluded,

• Full text not in English,

health professional. To improve its

47-03 Gattie.indd 134 2/14/2017 4:56:15 PM

Intervention Time to Functional PEDro

47-03 Gattie.indd 135 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

TABLE 2 PEDro Scale Scores for Individual Items*

Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

2. Random allocation primary investigator (E.G.), and the data

47-03 Gattie.indd 136 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

Immediate to 12-wk Follow-up 6 to 12 mo

Quality Low Very low Low Moderate Low

Summary of Findings for Dry Needling Compared to Other

Pain PPT Functional Outcome

47-03 Gattie.indd 137 2/14/2017 4:56:16 PM

Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: Immediate to 12-Week Follow-up for Pain

Subtotal† 115 111 39.3% –1.10 (–1.78, –0.42)

Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; SMD, standardized mean difference.

47-03 Gattie.indd 138 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

Subtotal† 95 93 34.4% –1.26 (–2.46, –0.06)

Subtotal‡ 104 102 28.4% –0.38 (–0.96, 0.20)

47-03 Gattie.indd 139 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

Subtotal† 104 103 39.5% –0.69 (–1.34, –0.04)

Total§ 268 261 100.0% –0.44 (–0.85, –0.04)

Abbreviations: IV, independent variable; SMD, standardized mean difference.

47-03 Gattie.indd 140 2/14/2017 4:56:17 PM

Dry Needling Versus Control/Sham: 6- to 12-Month Follow-up for Functional Outcomes

47-03 Gattie.indd 141 2/14/2017 4:56:19 PM

47-03 Gattie.indd 142 2/14/2017 4:56:19 PM

47-03 Gattie.indd 143 2/14/2017 4:56:20 PM

Total§ 138 138 100.0% –0.01 (–0.49, 0.47)

47-03 Gattie.indd 144 2/14/2017 4:56:20 PM

Immediate 1-4 wk 5-8 wk

47-03 Gattie.indd 145 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

Immediate 1-4 wk 5-8 wk

47-03 Gattie.indd 146 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

47-03 Gattie.indd 147 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

with implications for clinical practice guidelines.

47-03 Gattie.indd 148 2/14/2017 4:56:21 PM

24. Llamas-Ramos R, Pecos-Martín D, Gallego- Izquierdo T, et al. Effectiveness of dry needling

DOWNLOAD PowerPoint Slides of JOSPT Figures

47-03 Gattie.indd 149 2/14/2017 4:56:22 PM

SEARCH STRATEGY FOR MEDLINE

47-03 Gattie.indd 1 2/14/2017 4:56:22 PM

Trigger Point Dry Needling

needling on reducing pain when compared to sham

pressure pain threshold, and improving functional

BOTTOM LINE FOR PRACTICE WHAT WE KNOW NOW

47-03 Perspectives for Practice.indd 150 2/14/2017 4:57:26 PM

Therapies 33, 128-135. [Crossref]

Disorders 22:1. . [Crossref]

of Clinical Medicine 10:23, 5527. [Crossref]

Controlled Trial. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 31:3, 225-231. [Crossref]

of Environmental Research and Public Health 18:10, 5155. [Crossref]

Journal of Clinical Medicine 9:7, 2044. [Crossref]

Rehabilitation 14:5, 864-869. [Crossref]

You might also like

24. Llamas-Ramos R, Pecos-Martín D, Gallego- Izquierdo T, et al. Effectiveness of dry needling