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

NCT07176039 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PT.BU.EC.23
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 32
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Neck

Keywords

Myofascial Pain Syndrome; High-Intensity Laser Therapy; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Cervical Pain; Physical Therapy; Pain Management

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain Intensity

  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.

  Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention (post-treatment)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) as measured by pressure algometer

  Baseline and 4 weeks post-treatment

• Neck Disability Index (NDI)

  Baseline and 4 weeks post-treatment

• Cervical Range of Motion (ROM)

  Baseline, 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

EXPERIMENTAL

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).

Radiation: High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

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).

Other: Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Interventions

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) 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.

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) 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).

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• MTI University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University

Cairo, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Neck Pain; Agnosia

Interventions

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• reda K. Abdelrazik, associate professor

  Benha University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy for musculoskeletal disorders and its surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 1, 2025
• First Posted: September 16, 2025
• Study Start: October 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 20, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: January 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)