[Efficacy of dry needling in neck pain compared with other physiotherapy techniques: A systematic review]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of dry needling (DN) in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrP) compared to other methods of physical therapy in the treatment of neck pain.

Method: A systematic search was carried out in the MEDLINE Complete (EBSCO), Pubmed, PEDro and Scopus databases. The quality of the studies was assessed using the standard of biases of the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results: Eleven articles met the eligibility criteria. The characteristics of the participants and the results of the comparison of the application of DN with ultrasound, TENS, manual therapy techniques (passive stretching, strain-counterstrain, ischaemic pressure) and kinesiotape bandage are described.

Conclusion: DN was a useful technique in reducing neck pain. However, its efficacy in the treatment of cervicalgia could not be determined in comparison with other physiotherapy approaches.

Keywords: Dolor cervical; Dry needling; Fisioterapia; Myofascial pain syndrome; Neck pain; Physical therapy; Punción seca; Síndrome de dolor miofascial.