High-intensity laser treatment for upper-trapezius trigger point pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized clinical trial will recruit adult students and staff at Universidad Andrés Bello who have latent myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) plus stretching, sham HILT plus stretching, or therapeutic ultrasound plus stretching, with treatments twice weekly for four weeks. Main outcomes — pain intensity, pain pressure threshold, cervical range of motion, and neck disability — are measured at baseline, during treatment, and at post-treatment follow-up. The sample size was calculated for 85% power using an expected moderate effect size based on prior PPT differences in MTrP research.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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.

Where it's running

• Universidad Andrés Bello
  Santiago, Las Condes, Chile Recruiting
• Universidad Andrés Bello
  Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Hernán A de la Barra Ortiz, Mg — Universidad Nacional Andres Bello
• Study coordinator: Hernán A De la Barra Ortiz, Mg.
• Email: hdelabarra@unab.cl
• Phone: 984706322

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Ischemic Release vs. Sustained Pressure Direct Myofascial Release for Upper Trapezius Trigger Points

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• Adding a greater occipital nerve block to trigger point injections for upper trapezius neck pain.

  This will test whether adding an ultrasound-guided greater occipital nerve block to standard trigger point injections helps adults (18–65) with chronic upper trapezius trigger-point neck pain reduce pain and improve daily function.

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.