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

NCT ID: NCT07176039

Last Updated: 2026-01-05

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 32 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-10-10
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-01

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.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Participants will receive High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) applied to active myofascial trigger points in the neck and shoulder region, using an 808 nm GaAlAs laser, 8-10 W, 2000 Hz, 60 seconds per point, 5-6 points per session, twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions total).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Intervention Type: RADIATION

will be administered to active myofascial trigger points in the neck and shoulder region. The laser device used is an 808 nm gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser in continuous mode. Parameters: power output of 8-10 W, frequency of 2000 Hz, and application time of 60 seconds per trigger point, targeting 5-6 trigger points per session. Treatment will be delivered twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, totaling 8 sessions.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Participants will receive Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) using a radial shockwave device with energy flux density of 0.1-0.2 mJ/mm², 2000 shocks per session, administered twice weekly for 4 weeks (8 sessions).

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Intervention Type: OTHER

ESWT will be applied to active myofascial trigger points using a radial shockwave device. Parameters: Energy flux density 0.1-0.2 mJ/mm², 2000 shocks per session, frequency of 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks (8 sessions).

Interventions

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

will be administered to active myofascial trigger points in the neck and shoulder region. The laser device used is an 808 nm gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser in continuous mode. Parameters: power output of 8-10 W, frequency of 2000 Hz, and application time of 60 seconds per trigger point, targeting 5-6 trigger points per session. Treatment will be delivered twice weekly for 4 consecutive weeks, totaling 8 sessions.

Intervention Type: RADIATION

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

ESWT will be applied to active myofascial trigger points using a radial shockwave device. Parameters: Energy flux density 0.1-0.2 mJ/mm², 2000 shocks per session, frequency of 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks (8 sessions).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

MTI University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

reda abd elrazik

Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for musculoskeletal disorders and its surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

reda K. Abdelrazik, associate professor

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Benha University

Locations

Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University

Cairo, , Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

PT.BU.EC.23

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id