AnalysisofResearchTrendsinUltrasound-GuidedAcupunctureandDry-Needling:AScopingReview

Ultrasound-guided acupuncture and dry needling are emerging techniques that combine traditional needle therapies with modern imaging technology to improve treatment accuracy and safety. While acupuncture and dry needling have proven effectiveness for pain management, concerns remain about treatment reproducibility and safety when relying solely on practitioner palpation skills. Ultrasound guidance allows visualization of internal structures during needle placement, potentially improving precision and outcomes. However, no comprehensive review had examined the current state of research on these ultrasound-guided techniques to understand their applications, effectiveness, and research trends.

The researchers conducted a scoping review following established guidelines, searching three major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) through May 2024. They looked for studies combining ultrasound guidance with various needle therapies including acupuncture, dry needling, acupotomy (needle-knife), and pharmacopuncture. Two researchers independently screened articles and extracted data on study characteristics, diseases treated, outcomes, and research trends. They included all study types from randomized controlled trials to case reports, but excluded studies using ultrasound only for diagnosis.

From 4,996 initially identified articles, 107 studies met inclusion criteria. Research activity has increased over time, with 2023 being the most active year (20 studies). The most common study designs were non-comparative studies (43.9%) and randomized controlled trials (38.3%). Musculoskeletal conditions dominated the research landscape, accounting for 55.8% of diseases studied, with shoulders and knees being the most common treatment sites.

Among RCTs, ultrasound-guided treatments consistently showed better outcomes than control groups in terms of pain reduction (measured by Visual Analog Scale and Numeric Rating Scale) and functional improvement. Case reports and case series documented no adverse effects, confirming safety. The techniques were applied to diverse conditions beyond musculoskeletal disorders, including neurological, respiratory, and genitourinary conditions.

This review demonstrates that ultrasound-guided needle therapies represent an active and growing field with promising clinical applications. The consistent superiority over traditional techniques in controlled studies suggests these methods offer genuine advantages in treatment precision and outcomes. For clinicians, this evidence supports considering ultrasound guidance to enhance existing needle therapy practices, particularly for musculoskeletal pain conditions. The safety profile appears excellent based on available evidence.

However, the field would benefit from more high-quality, large-scale randomized trials to establish definitive evidence. The diversity of applications suggests these techniques could expand beyond traditional acupuncture and dry needling indications. Standardization of terminology and techniques would help advance the field and facilitate better research comparisons.