Pulsed ND:YAG laser combined with progressive pressure release in the treatment of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized control trial.
Mohamed Salaheldein Alayat, Kadrya Hosney Battecha, Ahmed Mohamed ELsodany and 1 others
PMID 32753780WHAT IT FOUND
Active pulsed Nd:YAG laser added to pressure release and exercises lowered pain scores more than placebo laser in 50 adults with upper trapezius myofascial pain: pain fell to 1.43 out of 10 versus 3.60 out of 10.
Key findings
01Active laser plus progressive pressure release and exercises gave a lower post-treatment pain score than placebo laser plus progressive pressure release and exercises, 1.43 versus 3.60.
02Pressure pain threshold was higher in the active laser group after treatment, 2.85 kg/cm2 versus 1.9 kg/cm2.
03Neck range of motion values were higher after active laser than placebo laser, including flexion 59.46 versus 52.56 and right rotation 64.36 versus 55.10.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The follow-up was only four weeks, so it does not show whether the benefit lasted. The paper does not report whether the assessors of pain, pressure threshold, and range of motion were blinded. All patients received progressive pressure release and exercises, so the study cannot show the effect of laser alone or the effect of the combined package compared with no treatment. Home exercise compliance was self-reported and not objectively checked, and the authors noted this as a limiting factor. The sample was 50 participants with mean age 28.08 years and duration of illness 4.38 months, so the results may not apply to older patients, other muscles, or long-standing pain.
Declared interests
The authors reported no funding and no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that laser alone treats cervical myofascial pain. Both groups received progressive pressure release and exercises, and the trial compared active laser with placebo laser added to that same treatment.