The Role of Dry Needling in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Management:  A Mini Review

I Putu Eka  Widyadharma; Aurelia  Vania; Bryan Gervais de  Liyis; Ni Luh Putu  Saswatasya Widha Putri; Jimmy Fransisco  Abadinta Barus; Boya  Nugraha

doi:10.18502/tim.v10i1.18226

I Putu Eka Widyadharma Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udayana/Prof Ngoerah General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia
Aurelia Vania Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Udayana/Prof Ngoerah General Hospital, Bali, Indonesia
Bryan Gervais de Liyis Faculty of Medicine, University of Udayana, Bali, Indonesia
Ni Luh Putu Saswatasya Widha Putri Faculty of Medicine, University of Udayana, Bali, Indonesia
Jimmy Fransisco Abadinta Barus Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Atmajaya Catholic University of Indonesia/ St Carolus Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Boya Nugraha Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v10i1.18226

Keywords: Complex regional pain syndromes; Dry needling; Pain management

Abstract

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) presents as a multifaceted condition characterized by pain, autonomic dysregulation, and motor dysfunction. Within the realm of pain management, Dry Needling (DN) emerges as a promising therapeutic modality. This systematic review assesses the role of DN in the management of CRPS, with a focus on pivotal outcomes encompassing pain intensity, disability, and musculoskeletal factors. Our systematic review encompassed rigorous searches through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, spanning studies up to January 2023, without language constraints. Four studies meeting predetermined inclusion criteria were identified, collectively encompassing a cohort of 47 patients afflicted with unilateral upper limb CRPS Type I. Following DN, a palpable reduction in pain intensity was ubiquitously observed among all subjects. Furthermore, assessments employing the Disabilities of the Arm, Hand, and Shoulder (DASH) score indicated a substantial reduction in disability levels post-DN intervention. Impressively, musculoskeletal ultrasonography underscored an amelioration in muscle condition, concomitant with discernible enhancements in motor function disturbances post-DN. These compelling findings suggest that DN may substantively complement a multimodal CRPS management paradigm. DN has the capacity to target the fundamental issue of motor function impairment while concurrently promoting pain relief and reducing disability in the intricate context of CRPS.