High- vs low-dose high-intensity laser plus physiotherapy for nonspecific neck pain
Effect of Dose Variations of High-Power Laser Therapy on Patients With Nonspecific Cervical Pain
This study will try two different doses of high-intensity laser therapy alongside standard physiotherapy to see which one reduces pain and improves neck movement in adults with moderate-to-severe nonspecific neck pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Deraya University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Minya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07196800 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with nonspecific cervical pain (VAS ≥4) and documented cervical range-of-motion limitation will receive a conventional physiotherapy program combined with either a low-dose or a high-dose high-intensity laser regimen. Treatments are delivered in person at the Deraya University physiotherapy clinic, and participants agree not to use anti-inflammatories, analgesics, or muscle relaxants during the study period. The trial measures changes in pain intensity (VAS) and cervical ROM to determine whether dose differences produce different clinical outcomes. Patients with specific structural cervical pathology, prior cervical surgery, regional malignancy, or major uncontrolled comorbidities are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with unilateral or bilateral nonspecific neck pain, a VAS pain score of 4 or greater, documented cervical ROM limitation, and willingness to forgo pain medications during the study are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with confirmed structural causes (for example cervical disc prolapse), prior cervical spine surgery, active malignancy in the neck, or severe uncontrolled medical conditions are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, identifying the better laser dose could reduce neck pain and improve mobility so patients function better with less reliance on medication or extra treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies of high-intensity laser for neck and other musculoskeletal pain have reported mixed but sometimes modest short-term improvements, and clear dose-response evidence is still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * unilateral or bilateral CNP * Experiencing moderate to severe neck pain, defined as a Visual Analog * Scale (VAS) score of ≥4. * Cervical Range of Motion (ROM) Limitation: Documented restriction in cervical ROM compared to normal values for age and gender, to ensure the condition's impact on functional mobility * Patients agreed not to take any medication(anti-inflammatories, analgesics, or muscle relaxants) throughout the course of the study or receive any type of treatment for neck pain Exclusion Criteria: * Previous Cervical Surgery: Patients with a history of cervical spine surgery will be excluded to eliminate potential influences from post-surgical changes on the outcomes * Diagnosed with cervical disc prolapse as confirmed by clinical evaluation and imaging studies (MRI or CT scans). * History of malignancy in the cervical region or other serious medical conditions. * Severe comorbidities that may affect treatment outcomes (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, cardiovascular diseases). * Pregnancy or lactation.
Where this trial is running
Minya
- Deraya university physiotherapy clinic — Minya, Egypt (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.