Determine and compare the effects of Ultrasound Therapy versus Laser Therapy for the treatment of myofascial trigger points in the Upper Trapezius muscle

compare the effects of Ultrasound Therapy versus Laser Therapy

Abstract

Background: Much of the population faces pain in the upper back due to myofascial trigger points and tight musculature within the higher trapezius muscle.

Objective: To determine and examine the consequences of therapeutic ultrasound vs. laser treatment for the healing of trigger points in the myofascial of the upper trapezius muscle.

Methodology:  The quasi-experimental study was conducted at the University of Lahore teaching hospital from August 2020 to January 2021. Sixty patients' myofascial trigger points were incorporated into the study according to selection criteria has been equally assigned into groups. Group A was handled with therapeutic ultrasound and stretching exercise, while on the other hand, Group B was handled using therapeutic laser and stretching exercise. Pre-treatment and assessment of ache severity, functional disability, and range of motion of cervical region were done by Numeric- Pain rating Scale, Neck disability index, and goniometry, respectively.

Result: The mean pain reduction was found by 1.54±0.02 in the therapeutic ultrasound group and the therapeutic laser group by 1.2±0.2. Significant improvement was visible in ache, neck disability index, and neck range of movements among groups A and B measured by an independent pattern t-test.

Conclusion:  This study concluded that ultrasound and therapeutic laser are equally effective for managing myofascial trigger points by increasing cervical lateral flexion and reducing neck disability index. However, on a clinical basis, ultrasound showed more promising results than laser.

Keywords: Laser therapy, Myofascial Trigger points, Trapezius, Ultrasonic therapy.