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A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS in Multiple Sclerosis MS

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Dry needling in multiple sclerosis: a scoping review.

Abbas Tabatabaei^1,2, Farzan Molaei³, Tobia Zanotto^4,5,6

¹Mobility and Falls Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Science, and Athletic Training, School of Health Professions, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.

Acupuncture in Medicine : Journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society

|March 21, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Dry needling (DN) may help reduce muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, current evidence is limited, necessitating further high-quality research to confirm its effectiveness as an adjunct therapy.

Keywords:

dry needling mobility multiple sclerosis muscle spasticity myofascial trigger point

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Physical Therapy

Background:

Muscle spasticity and mobility impairments are significant challenges for people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
Dry needling (DN) is being explored as a potential non-pharmacological intervention to manage these symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review the existing literature on the efficacy of dry needling (DN) for managing spasticity and improving mobility in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).

Main Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, etc.) and clinical trial registries.
Studies published between 2000 and 2023, involving DN for pwMS and excluding traditional medicine, were included.
Quality assessment of included studies was performed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools, with data extraction on spasticity, pain, mobility, and other outcomes.

Main Results:

Four case reports/series and one small randomized controlled trial (RCT) were identified.
Case reports/series consistently showed reduced spasticity following DN in pwMS.
The single RCT found no significant differences between DN and sham treatment; findings for other outcomes were mixed.

Conclusions:

Dry needling appears feasible and may offer potential benefits for spasticity management in pwMS, based on limited clinical observations.
The current evidence base is of low quality and quantity, primarily from uncontrolled studies.
High-quality research, including adequately powered RCTs, is essential to determine the true effectiveness of DN in the pwMS population.