RecruitingNot Applicable

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

Chile24 participantsStarted 2025-05-01

Plain-language summary

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.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 Exclusion Criteria: * 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. * Neurological changes such as paresthesia, loss of sensitivity (partial or complete), decreased strength, and color changes in the neck, arms, forearms, or hands. * Diagnosed photosensitivity. * Presence of solar urticaria or adverse reactions to sunlight. * Presence of the following conditions: dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatic porphyria, cutaneous carcinoid syndrome or pellagra * Cancer or tumors of any type diagnosed. * Epilepsy.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Pain pressure thereshold (PPT)

Timeframe: Change from Baseline pain pressure thereshold at eight treatment sessions.

Joint Range changes (CFROM)

Timeframe: Change from Baseline joint range changes at eight treatment sessions.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04445545

SponsorQuiropraxia y Equilibrio

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-09-01

Contact for this trial

Hernán A De la Barra Ortiz, Mg.

984706322 hdelabarra@unab.cl

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Myofascial Trigger Point Pain (MTrP) trials