Comparison of therapeutic efficacy between acupuncture and low level laser in the treatment of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a single blinded randomized clinical trial study

Abstract Background: Neck pain is a medical and public problem with a prevalence of 9-18 percent in general population. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a regional pain syndrome that is characterized with muscular tender and triggers points. Laser therapy and acupuncture are two methods applied in the treatment of MPS. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and low level laser in cervical MPS treatment. Material and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, during a 15-month period, 60 patients with CMPs, referred to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, were divided into three groups Gr1 underwent acupuncture plus drugs, Gr2 laser therapy plus drugs and Gr3 only medication. Pain severity using visual analogue scale (VAS), Range of motion (ROM) with goniometry, palpation sensitivity with finger compression and daily function with neck questionnaire were assessed before, immediately after and two months after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 16. Results: Sixty patients of CMPs were included in this study. In acupuncture group, 5 male and 15 female (mean age of 38.8±6.36), in laser group, 6 male and 14 female (mean age of 37.7±5.64) and in control group, 8 male and 12 female (mean age of 37.6±5.17) were evaluated. There was significant difference in majority of parameters in two treatment groups compared to control group. But neck ROM in left lateral bending and VAS score, showed better improvement in acupuncture group than the other 2 groups (P