Comparison of Helium Neon Laser with Gallium Arsenide Laser Therapy on Pain and Functional Ability in Patients with Trigger Points (Upper Trapezius Muscle)

Abstract

Key words/ AbbreviationsMPS: Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Trapezius muscle, He- Ne: Helium Neon, Ga-As: Gallium Arsenide, TP: Trigger Points LLLT: Low Level Laser Therapy, VAS: Visual Analog Scale, NDI: Neck Disability Index, Tr P: Trigger Point

Purpose

The efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in myofacial trigger points seems controversial. The aim was to clarify the effect of Helium Neon or Gallium Arsenide Laser on pain and functional ability in patients with trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle.

Methodology

The study has an experimental design. Thirty subjects (14 female, 16 male) with myofascial pain in the upper trapezius muscle were taken and randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, subjects were included in the study. Convenient sampling with random allocation to the three groups (A, B,&C). Group A (Experimental Group) received Helium Neon Laser therapy for 3 min followed by stretching exercises for 30 sec twice a day for10 days during a period of 2 weeks. Group B (Experimental Group) received Gallium Arsenide laser therapy followed by stretching exercises in the similar way as group A. Group C (Controlled Group) received only stretching exercises as The patients filled the VAS and NDI scale on zero, fifth and tenth day respectively to check the level of improvement.

Results

The data was analysed using the software SPSS 12.0. No significant difference was seen in VAS and NDI from 0 to 2nd week between the 3 groups. In result between the groups, Group C was found more effective than the other two groups. Stretching alone has positive, therapeutic effect on the underlying musculoskeletal trigger points. Within the groups, group B i.e. He-Ne laser with Stretching showed significant results from 0 to 2nd week and from 1st to 2nd week. Group A i.e. Ga-As with stretching showed significant improvement from 0 to 2nd week.

Conclusion

The study concludes that n o significant difference in the effects of He-Ne laser application with stretching and Ga- As laser with stretching when compared to stretching alone. This study does not conclude that stretching is an effective intervention as significant difference in the rate of improvement was found in group which received He-Ne laser with stretching. The duration over which accumulation of rate of improvement took place was small.

Clinical significance

No significant rate of improvement in patients receiving (He-Ne + Stretching) and (Ga-As + Stretching). Thus, both the modalities are not beneficial for the treatment of myofascial trigger points. However, stretching is the main stay as the treatment of myofascial trigger point. It can be given as an auto therapy to patients as home programme.