Effects of Dry Needling on Recovery, Neuromuscular Function, and Injury Outcomes in Sports Athletes: A Systematic Review Targeting the Neck and Related Regions

Dry needling (DN) is a minimally invasive intervention in which a thin, solid filiform needle is inserted through the skin to mechanically and neurophysiologically stimulate myofascial trigger points and related neuromusculoskeletal tissues, with the clinical intent of reducing symptoms and improving movement. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of DN applied to cervical and adjacent peripheral regions (e.g., upper trapezius/shoulder girdle and relevant limb muscles) for improving fatigue-related recovery outcomes in sports athletes. We aimed to synthesize evidence on DN effects on injury-related outcomes (incidence, recurrence, time-loss, symptom exacerbation) and on intermediate risk-relevant measures (pain, stiffness, range of motion, neuromuscular function, and performance proxies) when reported in athletic samples. Finally, we aimed to characterize intervention parameters (timing relative to training/competition, dosage, target tissues, elicitation of local twitch responses, comparator types) and document adverse events to inform clinically implementable recovery and injury-risk management strategies in sport.