Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)DF-LLLT-MTP-UTNCT07137728
Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy in Myofascial Trigger Points of Upper Trapezius
A study testing Red Low-Level Laser Therapy, Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy and Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy in people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and Neck Pain, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether dual frequency low-level laser therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and increase neck movement in patients with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), Neck Pain, Myofacial Trigger Points
- What is being tested?
- Red Low-Level Laser Therapy, Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy and Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 2 Jul 2025to 2 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 20 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Men and women aged 20-55 years.
- Diagnosis of myofascial pain based on Simons criteria.
- At least two trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
- Pain duration ≥ 3 months.
- VAS pain score ≥ 5.
- Limited cervical range of motion (40-60%) due to trigger points.
Who cannot join
- Pregnancy.
- Use of anticoagulants.
- Bleeding disorders or dermatological diseases at treatment site.
- History of infectious, inflammatory, tumoral, cardiopulmonary, psychiatric, or systemic diseases.
- Kellgren stage 3-4 cervical osteoarthritis or cervical disc herniation causing radiculopathy.
- Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
- Inability to follow instructions or complete questionnaires.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
MoveNow Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre
Lahore, Punjab Province
About this study
Official title: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain Intensity, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Myofascial Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether dual frequency low-level laser therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and increase neck movement in patients with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The study includes men and women aged 20 to 55 years who have been diagnosed with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
- Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy reduce pain more effectively than single wavelength laser therapy?
- Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy improve functional ability and cervical range of motion more than other treatments?
Researchers compared three groups of participants receiving different treatments to evaluate their effects.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
- Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
- Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
- Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
All participants received treatment twice weekly for four weeks. Conventional therapy included stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and postural correction.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of dual frequency low-level laser therapy in patients with myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Participants aged 20 to 55 years were randomly allocated into three parallel groups.
Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy, Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy, and Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy. All groups also received conventional physiotherapy, including stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises.
Interventions were administered twice weekly for four weeks. Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, at week 2, and at week 4 by a blinded outcome assessor.
The primary objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of dual frequency laser therapy with single wavelength laser therapy in reducing pain intensity, improving functional disability, and enhancing cervical range of motion.
- Being tested
- Red Low-Level Laser Therapy, Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy, Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy, Conventional Therapy
- Keywords
- Low-Level Lazer Therapy, Dual Frequency Laser, Upper Trapezius Muscle, Myofascial Trigger Points, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Neck Pain, Photobiomodulation, Physical Therapy Intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Myofascial Pain Syndromes, Neck Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Red Low-Level Laser TherapyDevice
Red wavelength (660 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to upper trapezius trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm², frequency 9-10 Hz, for 60-100 seconds per point, twice weekly for four weeks.
Infrared Low-Level Laser TherapyDevice
Infrared wavelength (830 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm² for approximately 3 minutes per point, twice weekly for four weeks.
Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser TherapyDevice
Dual frequency laser therapy combining red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) wavelengths was applied sequentially to trigger points with a dose of 5 J/cm² per wavelength, twice weekly for four weeks.
Conventional TherapyOther
Conventional physiotherapy included stretching exercises, isometric strengthening, and postural correction techniques.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Red Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Participants received red wavelength low-level laser therapy (660 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy including stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises. Receives: Device: Red Low-Level Laser Therapy; Other: Conventional Therapy |
| Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Participants received infrared low-level laser therapy (830 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy. Receives: Device: Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy; Other: Conventional Therapy |
| Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Participants received dual frequency low-level laser therapy (660 nm and 830 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy. Receives: Device: Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy; Other: Conventional Therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 0 to 10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index)
Functional disability was assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Cervical Range of Motion
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) was measured using a goniometer in degrees. Higher values indicate greater mobility.
Measured: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Aug 2025
- Study start2 Jul 2025
- Primary completion31 Mar 2026
- Study completion2 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly allocated into three parallel groups receiving red wavelength low-level laser therapy, infrared low-level laser therapy, or dual frequency low-level laser therapy, each combined with conventional physiotherapy.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Lahore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07137728
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UOL/IREB/25/09/0006
- Acronym
- DF-LLLT-MTP-UT
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 27 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain Intensity, Pressure Pain Threshold, and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Myofascial Trigger Points in the Upper Trapezius Muscle
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07137728
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- DF-LLLT-MTP-UT / UOL/IREB/25/09/0006
- Keywords
- Low-Level Lazer Therapy, Dual Frequency Laser, Upper Trapezius Muscle, Myofascial Trigger Points, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Neck Pain, Photobiomodulation, Physical Therapy Intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LahoreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine whether dual frequency low-level laser therapy can reduce pain, improve function, and increase neck movement in patients with myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. The study includes men and women aged 20 to 55 years who have been diagnosed with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy reduce pain more effectively than single wavelength laser therapy?
- Does dual frequency low-level laser therapy improve functional ability and cervical range of motion more than other treatments?
Researchers compared three groups of participants receiving different treatments to evaluate their effects.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups:
- Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
- Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
- Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy with conventional physiotherapy
All participants received treatment twice weekly for four weeks. Conventional therapy included stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, and postural correction.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of dual frequency low-level laser therapy in patients with myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle. Participants aged 20 to 55 years were randomly allocated into three parallel groups.
Group A received red wavelength low-level laser therapy, Group B received infrared low-level laser therapy, and Group C received dual frequency low-level laser therapy. All groups also received conventional physiotherapy, including stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises.
Interventions were administered twice weekly for four weeks. Outcome assessments were performed at baseline, at week 2, and at week 4 by a blinded outcome assessor.
The primary objective of the study was to compare the effectiveness of dual frequency laser therapy with single wavelength laser therapy in reducing pain intensity, improving functional disability, and enhancing cervical range of motion.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants were randomly allocated into three parallel groups receiving red wavelength low-level laser therapy, infrared low-level laser therapy, or dual frequency low-level laser therapy, each combined with conventional physiotherapy.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Red Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Device: Red Low-Level Laser Therapy, Other: Conventional TherapyParticipants received red wavelength low-level laser therapy (660 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy including stretching, strengthening, and postural correction exercises. |
| Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Device: Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy, Other: Conventional TherapyParticipants received infrared low-level laser therapy (830 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy. |
| Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy | Experimental | Device: Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy, Other: Conventional TherapyParticipants received dual frequency low-level laser therapy (660 nm and 830 nm) combined with conventional physiotherapy. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Men and women aged 20-55 years.
- Diagnosis of myofascial pain based on Simons criteria.
- At least two trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.
- Pain duration ≥ 3 months.
- VAS pain score ≥ 5.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Pregnancy.
- Use of anticoagulants.
- Bleeding disorders or dermatological diseases at treatment site.
- History of infectious, inflammatory, tumoral, cardiopulmonary, psychiatric, or systemic diseases.
- Kellgren stage 3-4 cervical osteoarthritis or cervical disc herniation causing radiculopathy.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Red Low-Level Laser TherapyRed wavelength (660 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to upper trapezius trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm², frequency 9-10 Hz, for 60-100 seconds per point, twice weekly for four weeks. | Device | Red Low-Level Laser Therapy |
| Infrared Low-Level Laser TherapyInfrared wavelength (830 nm) low-level laser therapy was applied to trigger points at a dose of 5 J/cm² for approximately 3 minutes per point, twice weekly for four weeks. | Device | Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy |
| Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser TherapyDual frequency laser therapy combining red (660 nm) and infrared (830 nm) wavelengths was applied sequentially to trigger points with a dose of 5 J/cm² per wavelength, twice weekly for four weeks. | Device | Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy |
| Conventional TherapyConventional physiotherapy included stretching exercises, isometric strengthening, and postural correction techniques. | Other | Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy, Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy, Red Low-Level Laser Therapy |
Primary outcome
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), a 0 to 10 scale where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain. Higher scores represent greater pain intensity
Functional Disability (Neck Disability Index)
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Functional disability was assessed using the Neck Disability Index (NDI), a 10-item questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Cervical Range of Motion
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4
Cervical range of motion (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) was measured using a goniometer in degrees. Higher values indicate greater mobility.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 27 May 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Red Low-Level Laser Therapy, Infrared Low-Level Laser Therapy and Dual Frequency Low-Level Laser Therapy in people with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) and Neck Pain, run by University of Lahore at 1 site in Pakistan.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Pakistan. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale) (time frame: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 May 2026.