Effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided needle-knife therapy for patients with spinal pain disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background Requirements for the development of pre-surgical therapies for spinal pain disorders have arisen, with ultrasound-guided needle-knife therapy (US-NKT) gaining popularity as a minimally invasive treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of US-NKT, focusing on its effectiveness and safety. Methods A comprehensive literature survey was conducted by using 12 databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of US-NKT with control in patients with spinal pain disorders. Characteristics of RCTs were extracted. Also, a meta-analysis of pain and physical function (PF) outcomes was performed at 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups. Adverse events (AEs) were also analyzed. Results Of the 1,694 articles screened, 23 RCTs (n = 2,107) met the inclusion criteria, with 60.9% addressing spinal degenerative arthropathy. US-NKT significantly reduced pain at 1 week (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.42 to −0.79; I2 = 73%) and 1 month (SMD: −1.74; 95% CI: −2.50 to −0.98; I2 = 95%). However, the effects were not statistically significant at 3 months. PF improved significantly at all time .points, with the strongest effect at 1 week (SMD: −0.92; 95% CI: −1.42 to −0.42; I2 = 71%). US-NKT demonstrated superior benefits for pain and PF compared with recommended therapies (at all-time points) or conventional NKT (at 1 week and 1 month). AEs were reported in 43.5% of RCTs, with fewer incidents in…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 2,107 participants or records.
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