Myofacial Trigger Points, Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), Neck Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Low-Level Lazer Therapy, Dual Frequency Laser, Upper Trapezius Muscle, Myofascial Trigger Points, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Neck Pain, Photobiomodulation, Physical Therapy Intervention
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether dual frequency low-level laser therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and increase neck movement in patients with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The study includes men and women aged 20 to 55 years who have been diagnosed with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy reduce pain more effectively than single wavelength laser therapy? * Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy improve functional ability and cervical range of motion more than other treatments? Researchers compared three groups of participants receiving different treatments to evaluate their effects. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: * Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy * Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy * Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy All participants received treatment twice weekly for four weeks. Conventional therapy included stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and postural correction.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of dual frequency low-level laser therapy in patients with myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Participants aged 20 to 55 years were randomly allocated into three parallel groups. Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy, Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy, and Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy. All groups also received conventional physiotherapy, including stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises. Interventions were administered twice weekly for four weeks. Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, at week 2, and at week 4 by a blinded outcome assessor. The primary objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of dual frequency laser therapy with single wavelength laser therapy in reducing pain intensity, improving functional disability, and enhancing cervical range of motion.
Interventions
DEVICERed Low-Level Laser Therapy
Red wavelength (660 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to upper trapezius trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm², frequency 9-10 Hz, for 60-100 seconds per point, twice weekly for four weeks.
DEVICEInfrared Low-Level Laser Therapy
Infrared wavelength (830 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm² for approximately 3 minutes per point, twice weekly for four weeks.
DEVICEDual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy
Dual frequency laser therapy combining red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) wavelengths was applied sequentially to trigger points with a dose of 5 J/cm² per wavelength, twice weekly for four weeks.
OTHERConventional Therapy
Conventional physiotherapy included stretching exercises, isometric strengthening, and postural correction techniques.
Sponsors
University of Lahore
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
The outcome assessor was blinded to group allocation to reduce assessment bias.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly allocated into three parallel groups receiving red wavelength low-level laser therapy, infrared low-level laser therapy, or dual frequency low-level laser therapy, each combined with conventional physiotherapy.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 55 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
This includes the following; 1. Men and women aged 20-55 years. 2. Diagnosis of myofascial pain based on Simons criteria. 3. At least two trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. 4. Pain duration ≥ 3 months. 5. VAS pain score ≥ 5. 6. Limited cervical range of motion (40-60%) due to trigger points.
Exclusion criteria
The
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale) | Baseline, Week 2, Week 4 | Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 0 to 10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity |
| Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index) | Baseline, Week 2, Week 4 | Functional disability was assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability. |
| Cervical Range of Motion | Baseline, Week 2, Week 4 | Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) was measured using a goniometer in degrees. Higher values indicate greater mobility. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed