Low Back Pain, Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Conditions
Keywords
Myofascial Pain, Low Back Pain, Ischemic Compression, Low-Level Laser Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Myofascial Trigger Points
Brief summary
This randomized controlled study will compare the effects of ischemic compression combined with exercise, low-level laser therapy combined with exercise, and sham low-level laser therapy combined with exercise in adults with subacute or chronic myofascial low back pain. Participants will be assigned to one of three treatment groups. Outcomes will include pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and disability measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and at a 1-month follow-up.
Detailed description
This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate and compare three physical therapy interventions for adults with subacute or chronic myofascial low back pain. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: ischemic compression combined with exercise, low-level laser therapy combined with exercise, or sham low-level laser therapy combined with exercise. The study will evaluate changes in pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and low back pain-related disability. Outcome measures will include the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Measurements will be obtained at baseline, after 3 weeks of treatment, after 6 weeks of treatment, and at a 1-month follow-up.
Interventions
OTHERIschemic Compression
Ischemic compression will be applied to identified myofascial trigger points in the lumbar region in combination with the prescribed exercise program.
DEVICELow-Level Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy will be applied to identified myofascial trigger points in the lumbar region in combination with the exercise program according to the study protocol.
OTHERExercise Program
Participants will perform a standardized therapeutic exercise program designed to improve lumbar mobility, flexibility, strength, and functional performance according to the study protocol.
The laser probe will be applied to identified lumbar myofascial trigger points in the same manner and for the same duration as active low-level laser therapy, but with the laser power deactivated and no laser energy delivered.
Sponsors
Nova Southeastern University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three parallel intervention groups: ischemic compression plus exercise, low-level laser therapy plus exercise, or sham low-level laser therapy plus exercise.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18-80 years * Diagnosis of myofascial low back pain * Presence of active myofascial trigger point(s) in the lumbar region * Ability to understand and follow study procedures * Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Pregnancy or lactation * Photosensitivity or known sensitivity to light-based therapy * Pacemaker use * Malignancy or suspected malignancy, particularly in the treatment area * Skin lesions, active infection, or open wounds in the lumbar treatment area * History of lumbar spine surgery or spinal fracture * Neurological disorders that may affect study participation or outcome assessment * Serious systemic disease that may interfere with participation or treatment safety * Current physical therapy treatment for low back pain * Corticosteroid injection within the previous 3 months * Any contraindication to low-level laser therapy or ischemic compression
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) | Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1-month follow-up | Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 represents no pain and 10 represents the worst imaginable pain. Lower scores indicate less pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Disability Measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) | Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1-month follow-up | Functional disability related to low back pain will be assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The ODI score ranges from 0% to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater disability. |
| Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) | Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1-month follow-up | Pressure pain threshold will be assessed using a pressure algometer over identified myofascial trigger points in the lumbar region. Higher PPT values indicate greater pressure tolerance and reduced mechanical pain sensitivity. |
| Global Rating of Change (GROC) | 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 1-month follow-up | Perceived overall change in health status will be assessed using the Global Rating of Change (GROC), a single-item patient-reported measure ranging from worsening to improvement. Higher scores indicate greater perceived improvement. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTKHALID G ATTIA, PT, DPT
STUDY_CHAIRAlicia Fernandez-Fernandez, PT, DPT, PhD
Nova Southeastern University
Outcome results
None listed