Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population

# Background Various methods of sham procedures have been used in controlled trials evaluating dry needling efficacy although few have performed validation studies of the sham procedure. # Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a sham dry needling technique on...

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Main Authors: Daniel M Cushman, Anna Holman, Lee Skinner, Keith Cummings, Peter Haight, Masaru Teramoto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2021-02-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.18797
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author Daniel M Cushman
Anna Holman
Lee Skinner
Keith Cummings
Peter Haight
Masaru Teramoto
author_facet Daniel M Cushman
Anna Holman
Lee Skinner
Keith Cummings
Peter Haight
Masaru Teramoto
author_sort Daniel M Cushman
collection DOAJ
description # Background Various methods of sham procedures have been used in controlled trials evaluating dry needling efficacy although few have performed validation studies of the sham procedure. # Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a sham dry needling technique on healthy, active subjects. # Study Design Validation study # Methods Runners capable of completing a half-marathon or marathon race and were randomized to receive true (using an introducer and needle) or sham (using an introducer and fixed, blunted needle) dry needling. Blinded subjects were asked to identify if they received sham or true dry needling following the procedure. Proportions of those who correctly identified their needling were also examined on the basis of past experience of receiving dry needling. # Results Fifty-three participants were included in this study, with 25 receiving the true dry needling procedure and 28 receiving the sham. Of those who had received dry needling in the past (n = 16), 11 (68.8%) correctly identified their respective groups. For those who had not previously received dry needling (n = 37), 13 (35.1%) accurately identified their group. Most importantly, 94.1% of dry needling-naïve participants were unable to identify they received the sham procedure (p < 0.001). # Conclusions This study shows that a fixed needle in an introducer tube is a simple, inexpensive, effective sham procedure in patients who have never received dry needling before. This technique may be useful for randomized controlled trials in the future. # Levels of Evidence 2
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spelling doaj-art-9e9c3e32bcbf4c119d3eed6b4973c76d2025-02-11T20:28:11ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962021-02-01161Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy PopulationDaniel M CushmanAnna HolmanLee SkinnerKeith CummingsPeter HaightMasaru Teramoto# Background Various methods of sham procedures have been used in controlled trials evaluating dry needling efficacy although few have performed validation studies of the sham procedure. # Hypothesis/Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a sham dry needling technique on healthy, active subjects. # Study Design Validation study # Methods Runners capable of completing a half-marathon or marathon race and were randomized to receive true (using an introducer and needle) or sham (using an introducer and fixed, blunted needle) dry needling. Blinded subjects were asked to identify if they received sham or true dry needling following the procedure. Proportions of those who correctly identified their needling were also examined on the basis of past experience of receiving dry needling. # Results Fifty-three participants were included in this study, with 25 receiving the true dry needling procedure and 28 receiving the sham. Of those who had received dry needling in the past (n = 16), 11 (68.8%) correctly identified their respective groups. For those who had not previously received dry needling (n = 37), 13 (35.1%) accurately identified their group. Most importantly, 94.1% of dry needling-naïve participants were unable to identify they received the sham procedure (p < 0.001). # Conclusions This study shows that a fixed needle in an introducer tube is a simple, inexpensive, effective sham procedure in patients who have never received dry needling before. This technique may be useful for randomized controlled trials in the future. # Levels of Evidence 2https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.18797
spellingShingle Daniel M Cushman
Anna Holman
Lee Skinner
Keith Cummings
Peter Haight
Masaru Teramoto
Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
title_full Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
title_fullStr Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
title_full_unstemmed Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
title_short Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population
title_sort validity of a sham dry needling technique on a healthy population
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.18797
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