Effect of High-intensity Laser Therapy in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain. Randomized Clinical Trial

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (2) locations...
Intervention Type: Procedure, Device
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Chronic nonspecific neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder recognized for its high rates of disability and economic losses, ranking second in musculoskeletal conditions after low back pain. There are several effective physical therapy interventions to treat chronic nonspecific neck pain, such as laser therapy. High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a recent treatment proposed to reduce musculoskeletal pain; however, there are few studies that prove its effects in reducing neck pain. The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of high-intensity laser therapy on pain intensity in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. The research will be carried out in the laboratory of physical agents at the Andrés Bello University, Campus Casona de las Condes. Participants will be employers and volunteer students with non-specific chronic neck pain. Participants will be randomized and allocated into 2 study groups: group 1 (HILT and stretching exercises) and group 2 (simulated HILT and stretching exercises). Treatments will be performed twice a week for 4 weeks with 3 assessments: before treatment, at the end of treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment (follow-up). The main results will be the differences in pain pressure threshold (ΔPPT), intensity of pain at rest (ΔRPI) and intensity of pain on movement (ΔMPI). Secondary outcome measures, on the other hand, will include differences in cervical spine range (ΔCROM) and cervical disability (ΔND).

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

• Participants must be at least 18 years old.

• Both sexes (men and women)

• Non-specific, chronic neck pain, defined as pain or discomfort in the cervical region between the superior nuchal line and the spinous process of T1 or the shoulder girdle, with the following criteria: neck pain in the last 3 months or more; a questionnaire score of cervical disability (NDI) equal to or greater than 5; and cervical pain of 3 or greater on the numerical pain scale (NPRS).

Locations
Other Locations
Chile
Hernán Andrés de la Barra
RECRUITING
Santiago
Universidad Andrés Bello
RECRUITING
Santiago
Contact Information
Primary
Hernán A de la Barra Ortiz, MSc
hdelabarra@unab.cl
56984706322
Backup
Luis A Gomez Miranda, MSc
lgomez@unab.cl
56984706322
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-03-31
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-28
Participants
Target number of participants: 72
Treatments
Experimental: HILT + stretching exercise
High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) will be applied with the punctual technique on the 6 bilateral points of the cervical region and shoulder girdle, to be followed by a sweep technique on both trapezius muscles (upper portions). The parameters proposed by Dundar et al. will be used: an average power of 3 W, 60 J per point (360 J), and 500 J for manual scanning (1000 J). For the application of laser therapy, the 12 W BTL-6000 equipment that emits at 1064 nm wavelengths will be used. Laser therapy will be applied with the participant in the prone position.The treatment will be complemented with passive static stretching for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles (bilaterally) in three series. Each series will last 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest interval. The exercises will be carried out with the participant in a seated position in a chair with a backrest.
Sham_comparator: Sham HILT + stretching exercise
The group will receive a sham treatment of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT). The treatment will be complemented with passive static stretching for the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and scalene muscles (bilaterally) in three series. Each series will last 30 seconds, followed by a 30-second rest interval. The exercises will be carried out with the participant in a seated position in a chair with a backrest.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Quiropraxia y Equilibrio

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov