High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on Myofascial Trigger Points. (HILT)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04445545 |
Recruitment Status :
Not yet recruiting
First Posted : June 24, 2020
Last Update Posted : June 24, 2022
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Myofascial Trigger Point Pain (MTrP) | Device: High intensity laser therapy (HILT) Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound (US) Procedure: Stretching exercise | Not Applicable |

Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 24 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) and Stretching Exercises on Cervical Flexibility and Pain Reduction in Myofascial Trigger Points. Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT). |
Estimated Study Start Date : | March 1, 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | May 1, 2023 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | August 1, 2023 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: Experimental group 1 (HILT + stretching exercise)
The group will receive treatment of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) with a total energy delivery of 1,060J divided into 3 phases will be achieved: phase 1, 500J; phase 2, 60J; phase 3, 500J. It will work with an average power of 3W and an energy density of 50J/cm2. At the end of the assigned treatment will be added a treatment protocol of upper trapezius stretching exercises for the evaluated limb with shortening. The stretches will consist of 4 series of 30 seconds with an interval of 30 seconds between series.
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Device: High intensity laser therapy (HILT)
Laser application with powers greater than 500 milliwatts (mW) in the myofascial trigger point and muscle belly of the upper trapezius. Laser therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle with a total energy delivery of 1,060J divided into 3 phases will be achieved (phase 1, 500J; phase 2, 60J; phase 3, 500J). It will work with an average power of 3W and an energy density of 50J/cm2. For the application of laser therapy, the 12W BTL-6000 equipment that emits infrared wavelengths of 1064nm will be used. Procedure: Stretching exercise Active static stretching for the upper trapezius muscle with the presence of myofascial trigger points 4 sets of active static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle will be performed. Each set will last 30 seconds followed by a 30-second rest interval. |
Sham Comparator: Experimental group 2 (Sham HILT + stretching exercise)
The group will receive a sham treatment of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT). At the end of the assigned treatment will be added a treatment protocol of upper trapezius stretching exercises for the evaluated limb with shortening. The stretches will consist of 4 series of 30 seconds with an interval of 30 seconds between series.
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Device: High intensity laser therapy (HILT)
Laser application with powers greater than 500 milliwatts (mW) in the myofascial trigger point and muscle belly of the upper trapezius. Laser therapy will be applied to the upper trapezius muscle with a total energy delivery of 1,060J divided into 3 phases will be achieved (phase 1, 500J; phase 2, 60J; phase 3, 500J). It will work with an average power of 3W and an energy density of 50J/cm2. For the application of laser therapy, the 12W BTL-6000 equipment that emits infrared wavelengths of 1064nm will be used. Procedure: Stretching exercise Active static stretching for the upper trapezius muscle with the presence of myofascial trigger points 4 sets of active static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle will be performed. Each set will last 30 seconds followed by a 30-second rest interval. |
Active Comparator: Experimental group 3 (US + stretching exercise)
The group will receive treatment of therapeutic ultrasound. The US parameters will be programmed with a frequency of 1MHz, the intensity of 1.5 W/cm2, the Duty cycle of 100%, an ERA of 5cm2, and a time of 6 minutes. At the end of the assigned treatment will be added a treatment protocol of upper trapezius stretching exercises for the evaluated limb with shortening. The stretches will consist of 4 series of 30 seconds with an interval of 30 seconds between series.
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Device: Therapeutic Ultrasound (US)
Application of ultrasound therapy in the myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle. The ultrasound application will be performed with the person in a seated position. The ultrasound parameters will consist of a frequency of 1MHz, the intensity of 1.5 W/cm2, a Duty cycle of 100%, an ERA of 5cm2, and a treatment time of 6 minutes. Procedure: Stretching exercise Active static stretching for the upper trapezius muscle with the presence of myofascial trigger points 4 sets of active static stretching of the upper trapezius muscle will be performed. Each set will last 30 seconds followed by a 30-second rest interval. |
- Pain pressure thereshold (PPT) [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline pain pressure thereshold at eight treatment sessions. ]Comparing pain pressure threshold differences on trigger point of trapezius muscle for pre and post-treatment protocol.
- Joint Range changes (CFROM) [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline joint range changes at eight treatment sessions. ]Comparing maximum cervical range differences for pre and post for pre and post-treatment protocol.
- Neck disability [ Time Frame: Change from Baseline meck disability at eight treatment sessions. ]Comparing neck disability for pre and post treatment protocol.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years and older (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
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.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04445545
Contact: Hernán A De la Barra Ortiz, Mg. | 984706322 ext +56 | hdelabarra@unab.cl |
Chile | |
Universidad Andrés Bello | |
Santiago de Chile, Las Condes, Chile, 7591538 | |
Contact: Hernán de la Barra, Mg. 562226618402 hdelabarra@unab.cl | |
Contact: Hernán Andrés HB de la Barra Ortiz, Mg. 562226618402 quiropraxiayequilibrio@gmail.com | |
Principal Investigator: Hernán A de la Barra Ortiz, Mg. | |
Sub-Investigator: Richard Liebano, PhD | |
Universidad Andrés Bello | |
Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile, 7591538 |
Principal Investigator: | Hernán A de la Barra Ortiz, Mg | Universidad Andrés Bello |
Publications:
Responsible Party: | Quiropraxia y Equilibrio |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT04445545 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
60312070 |
First Posted: | June 24, 2020 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | June 24, 2022 |
Last Verified: | June 2022 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Lasers Laser Therapy Trigger Points |
Myofascial Pain Syndromes Analgesia Clinical Trial |
Myofascial Pain Syndromes Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases |