Pulsed ND:YAG laser combined with progressive pressure release in the treatment of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized control trial

Abstract

To investigate the effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser combined with the progressive pressure release technique (PPRT) and exercises in the treatment of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). [Participants and Methods] A total of 50 patients with MTrPs in the upper trapezius muscle participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups and treated with laser plus PPRT (Laser + PPRT group) or placebo laser and exercises (PL + PPRT group). The laser was applied for eight MTrPs with a 50 J/point. PPRT was applied for 30 seconds for each point. Exercises included strengthening and stretching exercises applied three times per week for four weeks. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were used to measure pain and pain threshold, respectively. A cervical range of motion device (CROM) was used to measure the cervical range of motion. [Results] Both treatment groups showed significant improvement in CROM, PPT, and VAS post-treatment with a more significant effect in the Laser + PPRT group compared to the PL + PPRT group. [Conclusion] PPRT and exercises alone or that in combination with laser therapy were effective in the treatment of active MTrPs in patients with MPS.

Volume 3, Issue 1 (Continuously Updated 2020) Func Disabil J 2020, 3(1): 111-122 | Back to browse issues page ‎ 10.32598/fdj.3.16 XML Print Download citation: BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks Send citation to: Mendeley Zotero RefWorks Parandnia A, Yassin M, Sarrafzadeh J, Salehi R, Navaei F. Comparison of the Effects of Dry Needling and High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Pain Intensity and Pain Pressure Threshold in Females With Active Trigger P

“…The authors concluded that HILT significantly reduced pain, compared with physiotherapy [43]. Also, Alayat et al showed that HILT plus pressure release significantly improved the pain intensity and PPT in patients with MTrP in the UT muscle [44]. In line with the present study, Dundar et al showed that HILT significantly improved the pain in patients with trigger points in the trapezius muscle [26].…”

Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy added to a physical therapy program for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome - a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Figure 2 presents the RoB.2 assessment. The randomization process was rated as low risk in 66.7% of the articles [28,29]. The deviations from intended intervention bias was evaluated as high risk in one article [30], some concerns in another [29], and low risk of bias in the other [28], i.e.…”

“…The missing outcome data was rated as low risk in two articles, i.e. 66.6% [28,29]. Measurement of the outcome bias was rated as low risk for 100% of the articles [28−30].…”

“…The selection of the reported results bias was assessed as low risk in two articles i.e. 66.6% [28,29]. Lastly, the overall bias was rated at 33.3% for each of high risk, some concerns and low risk [28−30].…”

“…The overall population included 176 patients with a mean age of 33.5 years (SD 7.6), divided into 132 women and 44 men. A total of 88 patients received HILT, while another 88 patients were treated with a sham application within a physical therapy program [28,29], or only the physical therapy program [30]. Own elaboration.…”