Cost-effectiveness analysis of adding dry needling to physical therapy for chronic neck pain in upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jul;47:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.03.003. Epub 2026 Mar 9. ABSTRACT This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of adding dry needling (DN) to conventional physical therapy for chronic neck pain using a Markov model. Health outcomes were measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and treatment costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated. Combination […]

Comparative effects of dry needling on spasticity, balance, and cortical excitability in stroke and multiple sclerosis patients: A pilot study

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jul;47:419-428. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.04.019. Epub 2026 Apr 29. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a common complication of neurological disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis (MS). Dry needling (DN) has been used for spasticity management, despite known differences in the underlying pathophysiology of spasticity across neurological conditions. However, evidence regarding whether these […]

Feasibility of assessing implicit motor imagery after dry needling in bilateral patellofemoral pain with kinesiophobia

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jul;47:354-360. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.04.021. Epub 2026 Apr 27. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) has been associated with altered central processing and implicit motor imagery, as assessed using left-right judgment tasks. However, the feasibility of assessing implicit motor imagery performance in individuals with bilateral PFP and high kinesiophobia, particularly with a dry […]

Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of discogenic low back pain: a phenotype-driven precision framework for surgical and interventional decision-making

Front Surg. 2026 May 25;13:1787353. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2026.1787353. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Discogenic Low Back Pain (DLBP) remains a major diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its heterogeneous pathophysiology and overlapping clinical presentation. Current management frequently relies on empirical stepwise strategies with limited mechanistic specificity. The distinct mechanisms of disc degeneration have drawn significant attention, highlighting […]

Investigating attitudes and practices of dry needling among physical therapists in the Kingdom of Bahrain

J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2026 Jul;47:459-468. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2026.04.007. Epub 2026 Apr 24. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Dry needling (DN) is a physical therapy technique that is used to help treat myofascial trigger points. Although it is globally and widely used, there is a lack of information on the use of DN among physical therapists in the Kingdom […]

Dry needling and muscle mechanical properties in myofascial trigger points: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Man Manip Ther. 2026 Jun 5:1-16. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2682546. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To systematically evaluate the effects of dry needling on myofascial mechanical properties in adults with active or latent myofascial trigger points through a systematic review including randomized controlled trials comparing dry needling with sham or noninvasive treatments. METHODS: Searches in […]

Myofascial trigger points as a primary cause of equine lameness: a biomechanical, neurophysiological, and fascial review

Front Vet Sci. 2026 May 20;13:1852775. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1852775. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT Equine lameness diagnosis is dominated by a joint- and tendon-centric paradigm. The standard diagnostic algorithm relies on gait observation, perineural and intrasynovial anesthesia, and cross-sectional imaging. It is directed almost exclusively at skeletal and articular structures. Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are hypersensitive, hyperirritable loci […]

Operational taxonomy as a determinant of classification stability in AI-assisted evidence synthesis

Int J Med Inform. 2026 May 29;218:106491. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2026.106491. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: Reproducibility in rehabilitation evidence synthesis is influenced not only by search strategy and adjudication architecture but also by the structural clarity of operational taxonomy. This study evaluated whether shared operational definitions support classification stability across AI-assisted adjudication architectures. METHODS: A […]

Efficacy of treatment for subacromial pain in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE recommendations

Eur Geriatr Med. 2026 May 28. doi: 10.1007/s41999-026-01511-0. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT Subacromial pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition that impairs shoulder function, particularly in older adults. It is often associated with tendinopathy, bursitis, and biomechanical dysfunction, leading to limitations in daily activities and decreased quality of life. Despite its clinical relevance, studies targeting […]

Immunomodulatory Effects of Acupuncture on Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors:Chi Ngai Lo, Marcus Kwong Lam Fung, Bernard Pui Lam Leung Muscles. 2026 May 8;5(2):36. doi: 10.3390/muscles5020036. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain remains a major cause of disability worldwide, encompassing disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic back pain. Acupuncture and dry needling are increasingly used for symptom management, yet their effects on […]

Challenges to continuity of care among patients with long COVID-related taste and smell disorders: a qualitative study

Authors:María Belén Martín-Sanz, Paloma Moro-López-Menchero, César Fernández-De-Las-Peñas, Stella Maris Gómez-Sánchez, Antonio Gil-Crujera, Laura Ceballos-García, Nuria I Escribano-Mediavilla, Mª Victoria Fuentes-Fuentes, Lidiane Lima Florencio, Domingo Palacios-Ceña Front Public Health. 2026 May 11;14:1784507. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1784507. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT Taste and smell disorders are predominant symptoms of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and can persist in individuals with post-acute sequelae […]

The impact of complementary interventions on pain and disability in patients with chronic non-cancer pain: A network meta-analysis

Authors:Yuxing Zhang, Yusheng Zhao, Yupei Cheng, Longxiao Liu, Zihe Wang, Bangqi Wu Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2026 May 23;63:102060. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2026.102060. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) imposes a substantial burden on individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Limitations and risks of long-term pharmacological treatment have increased interest in complementary […]

Efficacy of Physical Therapy Interventions Delivered With Home Exercise Programs for Pain and Function in Plantar Fasciitis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors:Zelin Li, Siyi He, Jiaqi Wu, Zhaoying Zhu, Ling Chen, Wei Lu Phys Ther. 2026 May 23:pzag056. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzag056. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of 7 physical therapy interventions delivered with Home Exercise Program (HEP) versus HEP alone on pain and function in plantar fasciitis (PF). DATA […]

Multimodal physiotherapy versus scapular and conventional exercise for persistent pain following breast cancer treatment: a randomized controlled trial

Authors:Virginia Prieto-Gómez, María José Yuste-Sánchez, Laura Lorenzo-Gallego, Fernando Ramos-Gómez, Beatriz Navarro-Brazález, Deborah Falla, María Torres-Lacomba J Cancer Surviv. 2026 May 23. doi: 10.1007/s11764-026-02035-z. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal physiotherapy program compared with exercise programs on pain, disability, quality of life, and shoulder muscle activation in women with […]

Environmental Scan of the United States Regulatory Practices of Physical Therapy Dry Needling

Authors:Nadine Crocker, Eric Parent Physiother Res Int. 2026 Jul;31(3):e70225. doi: 10.1002/pri.70225. ABSTRACT PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the dry needling (DN) regulation of physical therapists across United States (US) regulatory jurisdictions and assess alignment of these regulations with identified DN regulatory recommendations. METHODS: Using Choo’s modes of environmental scanning framework, we conducted a comprehensive […]

Spinal mechanisms and feasibility of Dry Needling versus Botulinum Toxin Type A in post-stroke lower limb spasticity: A proof-of-concept randomized clinical trial protocol (STROKE-POC)

Authors:Clara Pujol-Fuentes, Bart Eeckhaut, Samuel Fernández Carnero, Daniel Fernández Sanchís, Theodore Wein, Pablo Herrero, Wim Saeys, Mindy F Levin PLoS One. 2026 May 20;21(5):e0334571. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0334571. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Stroke often causes spasticity, impacting mobility and quality of life. Botulinum Toxin type A (BTX-A) and Dry Needling (DN) are treatments that reduce spasticity, although […]

Mechanically Induced Skin Renewal: Evidence-Based Insights Into Clinical, Structural and Inflammatory Changes Activated by Microneedling, Microdermabrasion and Microvibration

Authors:Arielle Springer, Elena Helfenbein, Jürgen Blaak J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026 May;25(5):e70908. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70908. ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Device-based aesthetic procedures such as microneedling, microdermabrasion and microvibration have gained widespread clinical and institutional use for skin rejuvenation, yet the underlying biological mechanisms and the robustness of clinical evidence remain incompletely established. OBJECTIVE: This review synthesizes current clinical, histological […]

Comparative effectiveness of physical therapy interventions in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Authors:Stefano Giuseppe Lazzarini, Francesco Bettariga, Bianca Mosconi, Luca Maestroni, Claudio Cordani, Enrico Bandini, Fulvio Dal Farra, Pedro Lopez, Chiara Arienti Br J Sports Med. 2026 May 14:bjsports-2025-110024. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110024. Online ahead of print. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different physical therapy interventions and identify the most effective intervention on pain, function, quality of […]

Correction: Placebo and nocebo effects of percutaneous needle electrolysis and dry-needling: an intra and inter-treatment sessions analysis of a three-arm randomized double-blinded controlled trial in patients with patellar tendinopathy

Authors:Víctor Doménech-García, Daniel Pecos-Martín, Julia Blasco-Abadía, Pablo Bellosta-López, María Pilar López-Royo Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Apr 28;13:1851424. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1851424. eCollection 2026. ABSTRACT [This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1381515.]. PMID:42131598 | PMC:PMC13162373 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2026.1851424

A Scoping Review of Ultrasound Visualization of Thin Acupuncture Needles Inserted into the Human Body and Reporting of Imaging Conditions

Authors:Miyono Okinaka, Tsunehiko Wada Med Acupunct. 2025 Sep 19;38(3):192-199. doi: 10.1177/19336586251378820. eCollection 2026 Jun. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to examine the existing literature on ultrasound visualization of acupuncture needles inserted into the human body, with a focus on image characteristics and methodological reproducibility. METHODS: A search of the PubMed database was conducted on […]