High Intensity Laser Versus Ischemic Compression on Myofascial Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A prevalent clinical condition known as my-ofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is marked by myofascial trigger points creating hypersensitive spots of pain within the fascia and muscles. In addition, MPS is treated by deactivating MTrPs and reestablishing normal bodily biomechanics. At present, MTrPs are treated manually, with methods including ischemia compression as well as physiotherapy modalities like laser, ul-trasound, and TENS. Aim of Study: To examine the impact of high intensity la-ser (HIL) versus ischemic compression (IC) on neck pain and cervical range of motion (ROM) in patients with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. Material and Methods: 63 patients, ranging in age from twenty to fifty, were chosen from the outpatient clinic of Si-nai University’s Faculty of Physical Therapy. They all suffered from MTrPs in the upper trapezius. They were randomly as-signed to one of three groups, with 21 individuals per group. One group, Group A, was given both HIL and traditional physi-otherapy. Group B (was given IC in addition to traditional phys-iotherapy). Group C (only was given traditional physiothera-py). The measured parameters were pain as assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) in addition to cervical range of motion (ROM) as assessed by cervical ROM instrument. Outcome measurements were taken and recorded before and after inter-vention so patients received intervention for 12 sessions (three sessions per week). Results: In order to compare the effects of time and treat-ment, in addition to the interaction among the two, a mixed MANOVA was performed. A significance criterion of p<0.05 was established. The findings revealed that HIL has statistically significant effect on all the measured variables as compared to IC. The HIL reduced pain as measured by VAS and improved cervical ROM. Conclusion: For patients suffering from myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius, laser therapy appears to be more effective than ischemic compression in alleviating pain and en-hancing neck range of motion.