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

A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Subacromial Syndrome

“…Finally, nine RCTs [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] were included due to their meeting the inclusion criteria ( Figure 1 ). Using the PEDro scale [ 14 ], three studies received a score of 10 and three scored 9; two studies received a score of 7 and one received a score of 6.…”

“…Methodologically, six of the studies analyzed used an independent researcher, which endorses a correct data collection procedure [ 25 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 32 , 33 ], while in the other articles [ 27 , 31 , 36 ]—either due to the type of study or a lack of resources—the data were collected by the very researchers involved in the therapeutic intervention. Likewise, because of the characteristics of the intervention, as the patients were able to identify which treatment they were receiving, all the studies were described as ‘simple blind’.…”

“…In eight of the studies [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], one or several physiotherapy techniques were compared either in combination with or in isolation from DN, and one of the articles [ 25 ] compared DN techniques for their suitability in the treatment of patients—the intervention outline can be observed in Table 3 . The results are quite revealing as, despite it not being an objective of this review, it is demonstrated that the application of physiotherapy in the treatment of SAPS is effective in practically 100% of the 402 patients analyzed, whether in combination with or in isolation from DN.…”

“…In all groups, good results were observed, with significant differences post-treatment—especially in the ISP muscle [ 25 ]—but between groups the improvements were not relevant. DN is an applicable technique which can synergistically decline pain when it is combined with manual techniques to treat shoulder dysfunctions [ 31 ]. Functional Assessment …”

“…Kamali et al [ 25 ] found no significant differences between groups, unlike Arias-Buría [ 16 ], who did find significant differences in all the periods (immediately, 3–6 and 12-months post-intervention) between the CG and EG, confirming an improvement in functionality. Kheradmandi et al [ 31 ] found significantly reduced values on the DASH questionnaire and pain in both groups after treatment.…”