Comparative Effectiveness of Dry Needling versus Manual Therapy Combined with a Structured Exercise Programme on Functional Recovery in Athletes with Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Abstract

Background
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury among athletes that frequently results in impaired lower-
extremity function and reduced sports participation. Although structured exercise programmes remain the cornerstone of
rehabilitation, adjunctive interventions such as Manual Therapy and Dry Needling are increasingly incorporated to improve
rehabilitation outcomes. Evidence comparing their effectiveness in restoring lower-extremity function, however, remains
limited.
Objective
To compare the effectiveness of Dry Needling combined with a structured exercise programme and Manual Therapy combined
with the same exercise programme on lower-extremity functional recovery in athletes diagnosed with Iliotibial Band
Syndrome.
Methods
A prospective comparative interventional study was conducted among sixty athletes aged 18–40 years with clinically
diagnosed Iliotibial Band Syndrome. Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group A received Manual
Therapy combined with a structured exercise programme, whereas Group B received Dry Needling combined with the identical
exercise programme. Treatment was administered five sessions per week for six weeks. Functional status was evaluated using
the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using paired
and independent t-tests, with statistical significance established at p < 0.05.
Results
Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in lower-extremity function following six weeks of
rehabilitation (p < 0.001). The Manual Therapy group improved from 50.67 ± 3.93 to 57.47 ± 4.09, whereas the Dry Needling
group improved from 51.67 ± 3.93 to 66.60 ± 6.12. Between-group analysis demonstrated significantly greater functional
improvement in participants receiving Dry Needling combined with structured exercise compared with Manual Therapy
combined with exercise (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Both Manual Therapy and Dry Needling effectively improved lower-extremity function in athletes with Iliotibial Band
Syndrome when combined with a structured exercise programme. However, Dry Needling produced significantly greater
functional recovery and may represent the preferred adjunctive intervention for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes and
facilitating return to sport.