The Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling on Patients With Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Review Study

Objectives: Dry Needling (DN) is a novel and effective intervention for patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Some characteristics, such as needle penetration depth, needle insertion into the target muscle, and trigger points must be identified in this intervention. The Ultrasound (US)-guided DN is a technique that involves needle insertion at the site of injury and the simulation of tissue injury and inflammation under US guidance; it indicates the needle insertion site to ensure that it does not penetrate the adjacent tissues. The current study aimed to review previous studies regarding the effects of US-guided DN on MPS. Methods: A search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Springer, and Science Direct databases to retrieve studies published from 2010 to March 2020. We included investigations regarding the effects of US-guided DN on the treatment of MPS. The following keywords and MeSH terms were used in the search process: “ultrasound-guided, musculoskeletal ultrasonography, myofascial pain syndrome, trigger points, and dry needling.”  Results: A total of 47 relevant articles were retrieved. However, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the review, 11 articles were finally selected. All studies reported significant pain relief following the use of US-guided DN in patients with MPS. Discussion: Considering the precise visualization of the site of muscle involvement, precise needle insertion, and reduction of the risk of further injury in US-guided DN may be a useful approach for MPS management in short-term and long-term studies.