Comparison Between High-Intensity Laser Therapy and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck

• Registration Number: NCT07176039
• Lead Sponsor: MTI University

Brief Summary

this randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) in managing patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Thirty-two participants will be randomly assigned to receive either HILT or ESWT over a period of 4 weeks. Outcome measures include pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), tenderness, functional disability, and cervical range of motion.

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the efficacy of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) in the management of patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) of the neck and shoulder region. Thirty-two participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: one receiving HILT and the other receiving ESWT, with both groups undergoing 8 treatment sessions over 4 weeks. The primary outcome is pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes include tenderness (PPT), functional disability (Neck Disability Index), and cervical range of motion (measured by CROM). The study will be conducted at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-09
• Study Start: 2025-09-10
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-16
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-16
• Primary Completion: 2025-11-20
• Study Completion: 2025-12-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

Male and female participants aged 18-60 years. Diagnosis of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) in the neck/shoulder region. Presence of active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. Willingness to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

History of cervical spine surgery, trauma, or radiculopathy. Contraindications to laser or shockwave therapy. Presence of systemic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, malignancy). Receiving other physical therapy interventions during the study period

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain Intensity	Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention (post-treatment)	Pain intensity will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a 10-cm line where 0 = "no pain" and 10 = "worst pain imaginable". A lower score indicates improvement. The primary outcome is the mean change from baseline to post-treatment.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) as measured by pressure algometer	Baseline and 4 weeks post-treatment	The pressure pain threshold (PPT) will be assessed using a digital pressure algometer (in kg/cm² or kPa) applied perpendicularly to active myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. The point at which the sensation changes from pressure to pain is recorded. Higher values indicate increased pain tolerance. Measurements will be taken at baseline and post-treatment.
Neck Disability Index (NDI)	Baseline and 4 weeks post-treatment	Functional disability will be assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item self-reported questionnaire scored from 0 to 50, where higher scores indicate greater disability. The primary metric is the mean change from baseline to post-treatment.
Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)	Baseline, 4 weeks