Comparison of the effects between lasers applied to myofascial trigger points and to classical acupoints for patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome

Wei-Han Chang, Li-Wen Tu, Yu-Cheng Pei, Chih-Kuang Chen, Szu-Heng Wang, Alice Mk Wong, Wei-Han Chang, Li-Wen Tu, Yu-Cheng Pei, Chih-Kuang Chen, Szu-Heng Wang, Alice Mk Wong

Abstract

Background: To compare the immediate effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to classical acupoints versus trigger points for patients with cervical myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Methods: This was a single-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. This study was performed in a university-affiliated medical center. One hundred participants with cervical myofascial pain syndrome were randomly allocated to four treatment groups, including (1) acupoint therapy (AcuT), (2) acupoint control (AcuC), (3) trigger point therapy (TriT), and (4) trigger point control (TriC) groups. Low-level laser (810-nm) therapy was used in both therapy groups, while the same procedure was performed without laser in the acupoint control groups. The patients were evaluated based on visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, pressure pain threshold, and cervical range of motion (ROM) before and after the therapy.

Results: Immediate pain relief was observed in the TriT group (p < 0.01). The TriT group showed improved cervical ROM in ipsilateral bending (p < 0.01), while the AcuT group did not.

Conclusions: LLLT applied to trigger points could significantly relieve myofascial pain and was effective in relieving cervical ROM limitations. Considering the risk of pneumothorax, laser therapy at trigger points for patients with cervical MPS may be a choice when acupuncture therapy is unavailable.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01516502.

Keywords: Acupoint; Laser therapy; Low level laser therapy; Myofascial pain syndrome; Range of motion; Trigger point.

Copyright © 2022 Chang Gung University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Acupoint and trigger point. The application of low-level laser therapy on acupoints (A, B, C, D) used in acupoint therapy group and proximal (E) or distal (F) trigger points used in trigger point therapy group.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow diagram of this study. Flow diagram for participant enrollment, allocation, follow-up, and analysis (following the CONSORT guideline). Abbreviations used: AcuT: acupoint therapy group; AcuC: acupoint control group; TriT: trigger point therapy group; TriC: trigger point control group.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Boxplot. The boxplots of change ratios between different groups for each outcome measurement. The median, 25th and 75th percentiles, and the significance of the post-hoc analysis in outcome measurement is shown for each of the four groups. Abbreviations used: AcuT: acupoint therapy group; AcuC: acupoint control group; TriT: trigger point therapy group; TriC: trigger point control group. ∗ p < 0.05; ∗∗ p < 0.01.

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