ARE FINDINGS FROM A PRAGMATIC DRY NEEDLING TRIAL ALWAYS APPLICABLE IN THE REAL WORLD?

Gattie et al3 changed the usual care by adding sham DN to the control arm. Previous studies demonstrated that the nonspecific effects of DN (ie, interaction with providers, expectancy, uncertainty about the type of treatment) are much larger than its specific effects.8 The prescriptive protocol in the experimental arm required DN of 6 to 10 sites. Clinicians were not allowed to change the order of the treatment triad. Because DN often results in relaxation of the contracted fibers, some clinicians perform stretching after needling, which was not allowed in this trial.

Automated summary

The study found that the effects of dry needling are not just physical, but also influenced by non-specific factors such as interaction with providers and patients' expectations. The experimental arm had a strict protocol for dry needling, including no stretching after needling.