Efficacy of dry needling in reducing spasticity after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Xinyi Yuan, Ziwen Wang, Huiru Zhang et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of dry needling (DN) in reducing spasticity in post-stroke patients. Analyzing data from 11 randomized controlled trials involving 276 patients, the study found that DN significantly reduced spasticity, with a mean difference of -0.65 on the Modified Ashworth Scale compared to control groups. DN was effective for both upper and lower limbs.
Key findings
- Dry needling significantly reduced spasticity with a mean difference of -0.65 compared to control.
- The effect of dry needling was strongest in ankle plantar flexors with a mean difference of -1.05.
- Dry needling improved spasticity whether compared to sham interventions (MD = -0.45) or added to conventional neurorehabilitation (MD = -0.76).
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of dry needling in reducing spasticity can inform rehabilitation strategies for post-stroke patients, potentially enhancing recovery outcomes and improving quality of life.
What to keep in mind
The study's GRADE certainty was Moderate to Low due to small sample sizes and blinding bias.