NCT07176039

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

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (actual)
• Sponsor: MTI University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
RADIATION	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.
OTHER	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).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-10-10
• Primary completion: 2025-11-20
• Completion: 2025-12-01
• First posted: 2025-09-16
• Last updated: 2026-01-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt