Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38167051›Full record

SynthesisBMC complementary medicine and therapies2024

Acupuncture and dry needling for physical therapy of scar: a systematic review.

Daria Chmielewska, Jitka Malá, Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik, Magdalena Nocuń, Patrycja Dolibog, Paweł T Dolibog, Magdalena Stania, Michał Kuszewski, Alena Kobesova

Open access · goldAbstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
1.3field-weighted citation impact, top 25% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Trial
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Daria ChmielewskaElectromyography and Pelvic Floor Muscles Laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska 72 street, Katowice, 40-065, Poland. d.chmielewska@awf.katowice.pl.
Jitka MaláPhysiotherapy Department, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University in Prague, José Martího 31, Prague 6, 162 52, Czech Republic.
Agnieszka Opala-BerdzikInstitute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Diseases, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska 72 street, Katowice, 40-065, Poland.
Magdalena NocuńStudents Scientific Association "IMPULSE" of the Institute of Electromyography and Pelvic Floor Muscles Laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine, Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska 72 street, Katowice, 40-065, Poland.
Patrycja DolibogDepartment of Medical Biophysics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18 street, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
Paweł T DolibogDepartment of Biophysics, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Jordana 19 street, Zabrze, 41-808, Poland.
Magdalena StaniaInstitute of Sport Sciences, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska 72 street, Katowice, 40-065, Poland.
Michał KuszewskiInstitute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska 72 street, Katowice, 40-065, Poland.
Alena KobesovaDepartment of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Motol in Prague, V Úvalu 84, Prague 5, 150 06, Czech Republic.
Charles University · CZMedical University of Silesia · PLUniversity of Silesia in Katowice · PL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a continuing interest in finding effective methods for scar treatment. Dry needling is gaining popularity in physiotherapy and is defined by Western medicine as a type of acupuncture. The terms acupuncture and dry needling have been used interchangeably so we have focused on the efficacy of dry needling or acupuncture in scar treatment.

objectiveThe aim of this systematic review was to determine the usefulness of dry needling or local acupuncture for scar treatment. In our search process, we used the terms 'acupuncture,' 'needling,' or 'dry needling' to identify all relevant scientific papers. We have focused on the practical aspects of local management of different scar types with dry needling or acupuncture. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search strategy included different combinations of the following keywords: 'scar', 'keloid', 'dry needling', 'needling', 'acupuncture', 'treatment', 'physical therapy'. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE (PubMed, EBSCOHost and Ovid), EMBASE (Elsevier), and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant publications from inception through October 2023. INCLUSION CRITERIA: The studies that investigated the effectiveness of dry needling or acupuncture for scar treatment were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: The main extraction data items were: the needling technique; needle: diameter, length; needling locations; manual needling manipulation; number of sessions; settings; outcomes and results.

resultsAs a result of a comprehensive search, 11 manuscripts were included in the systematic review, of which eight were case reports, two were randomized trials and one study concerned case series. Two case reports scored 2-4 out of 8 points on the JBI checklist, five studies scored 5-7, and one study scored 8 points. The methodological quality of the two clinical trials was rated as good or fair on the PEDro scale. The case series study scored 7 of 10 points on the JBI checklist. A meta-analysis was not possible as only two randomized trials, eight case reports, and one case series were eligible for review; also, scar assessment scales and pain severity scales were highly heterogeneous.

conclusionsThe studies differed regarding the delivery of dry needling or local acupuncture for scar treatment. Differences included treatment frequency, duration, number of treatments, selection of needle insertion sites, number of needles used, angle of needle placement, and use of manual needling manipulation. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: INPLASY no. 202310058.

Indexed as

Acupuncture TherapyDry NeedlingCase Reports as TopicCicatrixHumansPercutaneous Collagen InductionPhysical Therapy ModalitiesAcupunctureDry needlingScarTreatment

Identifiers

PMID38167051
PMCPMC10759514
OpenAlexW4390507780

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.