Dry needling after shoulder surgery: a promising boost?
NCT ID NCT02704975
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether adding dry needling to standard physical therapy helps people recover faster after shoulder stabilization surgery. 39 adults participated, receiving either physical therapy alone or physical therapy plus dry needling. Researchers measured range of motion, pain, and function over six months to see if the extra treatment made a difference.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- dry needling
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to speed up recovery and reduce pain after shoulder surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with only 39 participants. The results may not apply to everyone, and dry needling carries a small risk of bruising or soreness.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
39 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Mar 2016
- Finished
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Dec 2017
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-40 yo DOD Beneficiaries * Status Post Shoulder Stabilization Repair Surgery Exclusion Criteria: * Self-Reported Pregnancy * History of blood borne pathogens/infectious disease/active infection/metal allergy * Bleeding disorders or currently taking anti-coagulant medications * Participants who are not fluent in English
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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