Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Myofascial Trigger Points.

ConditionMyofascial Trigger Point Pain (MTrP)
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorQuiropraxia y Equilibrio

About this trial

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of HILT on cervical flexibility and pain reduction in myofascial trigger points. The research will be carried out in the Physiotherapy laboratory of Andrés Bello University. The participants will be civil servants and volunteer university students with the presence of latent MTrPs of the upper trapezius muscle. Participants will be randomized and divided into 3 study groups: group 1 (HILT and stretching exercises), group 2 (sham HILT and stretching exercises), and group 3 (the conventional US and stretching exercises). The treatments will be carried out twice a week for 4 weeks accompanied by 2 evaluations during the treatment and 1 post-treatment follow-up. The main result will be considered the differences in pain intensity (ΔPI), pain pressure threshold (ΔPPT), cervical spine range (ΔCROM), and cervical disability (ΔND) between the evaluation sessions.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Participants over 18 years of age.

Officials and students of the Casona las Condes Campus of the Andrés Bello University.

Presence of myofascial trigger points in the shortened upper trapezius muscle evaluated (expert consensus establishing criteria for the diagnosis of MTrPs, Delphi study).25

Disqualifiers

Musculoskeletal problems or pathologies of the neck or shoulders in the last 3 months (fractures, sprains, tendinopathies, dislocations, or muscle tears).

Presence of osteosynthesis materials near shoulders, neck, or surrounding areas.

Presence of wounds or skin changes in the shoulder and/or neck region (such as psoriasis, scars, or burns).

Use of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant medications for permanent use.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • High intensity laser therapy (HILT)

    Device

    Laser application with powers greater than 500 milliwatts (mW) in the myofascial trigger point and muscle belly of the upper trapezius. Laser therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle with a total energy delivery of 1,060J divided into 3 phases will be achieved (phase 1, 500J; phase 2, 60J; phase 3, 500J). It will work with an average power of 3W and an energy density of 50J/cm2. For the application of laser therapy, the 12W BTL-6000 equipment that emits infrared wavelengths of 1064nm will be used.

  • Therapeutic Ultrasound (US)

    Device

    Application of ultrasound therapy in the myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle. The ultrasound application will be performed with the person in a seated position. The ultrasound parameters will consist of a frequency of 1MHz, the intensity of 1.5 W/cm2, a Duty cycle of 100%, an ERA of 5cm2, and a treatment time of 6 minutes.

  • Stretching exercise

    Procedure/Surgery

    t the end of the assigned treatment will be added a treatment protocol of upper trapezius stretching exercises for the evaluated limb with shortening. The stretches will consist of 4 series of 30 seconds with an interval of 30 seconds between series

Treatment groups

24 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups
Group A: Experimental group 1 (HILT + stretching exercise)Experimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Experimental group 2 (Sham HILT + stretching exercise)Sham comparator 2 interventions
Group C: Experimental group 3 (US + stretching exercise)Active comparator 2 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Pain pressure thereshold (PPT)

Comparing pain pressure threshold differences on trigger point of trapezius muscle for pre and post-treatment protocol.

Time frame
Change from Baseline pain pressure thereshold at eight treatment sessions.
2

Joint Range changes (CFROM)

Comparing maximum cervical range differences for pre and post for pre and post-treatment protocol.

Time frame
Change from Baseline joint range changes at eight treatment sessions.

Secondary outcomes

1

Neck disability

Comparing neck disability for pre and post treatment protocol.

Time frame
Change from Baseline meck disability at eight treatment sessions.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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Quiropraxia y Equilibrio

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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