High Intensity Laser vs Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Trapezius Myofascial Pain Syndrome

NCT06990932 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Ahmed-005701
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study was to

1. 1.Investigate the effect of high-intensity laser therapy versus Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on pain level in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius muscle.
2. 2.Investigate the effect of High intensity laser therapy versus Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on ROM in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius muscle

Conditions

High Intensity Laser; Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Trapezius Muscle Strain; Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Assessment of change of pain intensity

  The Visual Analog Scale is a self-reported pain measurement scale with a 10-cm line labeling extreme pain levels. It is valid, reliable, and suitable for clinical practice, especially for individuals over 18. Studies have shown moderate to strong correlations for VAS validity in pain measurement.

  At baseline and after 1 month

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Assessment of change of pressure pain threshold

  At baseline and after 1 month

• Assessment of change of Cervical range of motion

  At baseline and after 1 month

• Assessment of impact of neck pain on quality of life

  At baseline and after 1 month

Study Arms (3)

High Intensity Laser

EXPERIMENTAL

this group consists of 20 subjects will receive conventional treatment combined with High-intensity laser therapy, three times per week for one month

Device: High Intensity Laser; Other: Conventional treatment

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

this group consists of 20 subjects will receive conventional treatment combined with Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, three times per week for one month

Other: Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization; Other: Conventional treatment

conventional treatment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

this group consists of 20 subjects will receive conventional treatment only, three times per week for one month

Other: Conventional treatment

Interventions

High Intensity Laser DEVICE

The therapeutic dose of laser therapy depends on power density, tissue color, and type. Darker skin may absorb the laser in the epidermal layer, but HILT can pass through without absorption. Research has improved power density and dose, with the World Association of Laser Therapy recommending a 5-7 J/cm2 dose for optimal therapeutic outcomes.

High Intensity Laser

Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization OTHER

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is a popular alternative to traditional manual therapy techniques, derived from Cyriax cross-friction massage. It uses hard tools to manipulate soft tissue, varying in direction, force, and pattern, and allowing pressure to disperse to underlying tissues. Modern Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization instruments vary in material and design, and are used to improve musculoskeletal conditions and outcomes. Patients receive Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization with an M2T blade, positioned at a 45° angle, and instructed to apply an ice pack if experiencing burning sensations.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization

Conventional treatment OTHER

conventional physical therapy, which includes ultrasound, isometric neck exercises, chin tucks, stretching of neck muscles, and neck stabilization exercises, were used for groups A, B and C

High Intensity Laser; Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization; conventional treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• The patient age ranged from 20 to 50 years
• Presence of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle
• Having neck discomfort symptoms that were triggered by certain neck positions and by palpating the cervical musculature for at least three months
• Patient willing and able to participate in an exercise program safely

You may not qualify if:

• medical red flag history (such as tumour, fracture, metabolic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis)
• Neck pain with cervical radiculopathy or neck pain associated with externalized cervical disc herniation.
• If the patient had previous surgery in the neck area (irrespective of the reason for the operation)
• Neck pain accompanied by vertigo caused by vertebra basilar insufficiency or accompanied by non-cervicogenic headaches

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (1)

outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy Benha National university

Banhā, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 18, 2025
• First Posted: May 25, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2025
• Study Completion: April 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)