Funded Scholarship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Publication Title
Jospt Methods
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the completeness of reporting of dry needling (DN) as a primary intervention, using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) and Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA) checklists.
DESIGN: This study is a systematic review of methodological reporting.
LITERATURE SEARCH: Electronic databases (Ovid MEDLINE ALL, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, Embase, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from inception to April 2024.
STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Clinical trials addressing the effects of DN on pain, function, and/or musculoskeletal impairments in adult humans with musculoskeletal conditions and published in English were included.
DATA SYNTHESIS: TIDieR and STRICTA scores were assigned for each DN intervention arm using the partial credit model. Median scores per criterion and pre- and postchecklist publication were calculated. Changes in reporting over time were assessed for each checklist. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB-2.0 tool.
RESULTS: A total of 10,453 studies were screened, and 238 met the inclusion criteria, yielding 258 DN intervention arms. TIDieR and STRICTA median composite scores were 66.7% (50.0%– 75.0%) and 71.2% (58.8%–81.3%), respectively. Complete reporting on the TIDieR was found in none of the DN treatment arms and only one per STRICTA. TIDieR reporting increased over time, whereas STRICTA reporting remained constant.
CONCLUSION: There are significant gaps in the completeness of intervention reporting within clinical trials using DN for musculoskeletal conditions. Underreporting procedural details related to dosage and treatment logistics limits the reproducibility and practical application. JOSPT Methods 2025;1(2):1-14. Epub 7 April 2025. doi:10.2519/ josptmethods.2025.0138
Recommended Citation
Thomas, A. C., Sabadis, S., Childs, R. F., Young, J. L., & McConnell, R. C. (2025). Completeness of Dry Needling Intervention Reporting in Musculoskeletal Conditions Using the STRICTA and TIDieR Checklists: A Systematic Review. JOSPT Methods, 1(2), 1-30.
