Comparison of Two Different Photobiostimulation on Pain and Functional Ability in Patients with Myofascial Trigger Points (Levator Scapulae Muscle)

Objective: Myofascial trigger point (MTP) is a characteristic of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) which is the most common muscle pain disorder. Myofascial pain syndrome is pain arising from one or more trigger points (TP) which are hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in taut bands. Aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of 780 nm Ga-Al-As LLLT and 904 nm Gallium Arsenide laser therapy on a trigger point in the levator scapulae muscle. Methods: Total of 50 subjects were selected on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were recruited randomly to the 3 groups (A, B, C). Group A (experimental group) received 780 nm low-level laser therapy and stretching exercises. Group B (experimental group) received 904 nm low-level laser therapy and stretching exercises. Group C (controlled group) received only stretching exercises. Results: No significant difference in VAS and NDI from 0 to 2nd week in all the 3 groups i.e. Group A, B, and C indicating that rate of improvement in all the 3 groups was the same. Conclusion: Present study does not conclude that stretching is an effective intervention as a significant difference in the rate of improvement was found in the group which received Ga-As laser with stretching. Since the duration over which accumulation of rate of improvement took place was small thus it could not produce any significant difference overall at the end. Hence Ga-As LLLT can be used in adjunct with stretching exercises as cost-effective conservative treatment of MTP in levator scapulae muscle.