Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the trapezius muscle is one of the main causes of neck pain. In this randomized, double-blind study, we evaluated the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in female patients with chronic MPS of the trapezius muscle. The patients were assigned to two groups. The HILT group was treated with HILT and exercise, and the sham therapy group was treated with placebo HILT and exercise. The patients were assessed for pain, cervical active range of motion, disability, and quality of life. Evaluations were performed before treatment (week 0) and after treatment (weeks 4 and 12). Both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters at weeks 4 and 12. However, in a comparison of the percentage changes in the parameters at weeks 4 and 12 relative to pretreatment values, the HILT group showed greater improvement in pain scores, the neck disability index, and several subparts of the short-form 36 health survey (SF-36) (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perceptions, social functioning, and role limitations due to emotional problems) than did the sham therapy group. We conclude that HILT is an effective therapeutic method in the treatment of patients with chronic MPS of the trapezius muscle.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common disorder that causes pain on the outside of the elbow, as well as pain and weakness during gripping. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded trial, we planned to investigate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in patients with LE and to compare these results with those of a brace and placebo HILT. Patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. The first group was treated with HILT. The second group (sham therapy group) received placebo HILT, while the third group (brace group) used the lateral counterforce brace for LE. The patients were assessed for grip strength, pain, disability, and quality of life. Outcome measurements and ultrasonographic examination of the patients were performed before treatment (week 0) and after treatment (after 4 and 12 weeks). HILT and brace groups showed significant improvements for most evaluation parameters (pain scores, grip strength, disability scores, and several subparts of the short-form 36 health survey (physical function, role limitations due to physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, and vitality)) after treatment (after 4 and 12 weeks). However, the improvements in evaluation parameters of the patients with LE in HILT and brace groups were not reflected to ultrasonographic findings. Furthermore, comparison of the percentage changes of the parameters after treatment relative to pretreatment values did not show a significant difference between HILT and brace groups. We conclude that HILT and splinting are effective physical therapy modalities for patients with LE in reducing pain and improving disability, quality of life, and grip strength.

Viscosupplementation consists of injecting exagenous hyaluronan (HA) into the synovial joints to restore the normal rheological environment which deteriorates severely in osteoarthritic (OA) joints. Efficacy might be related to the rheological properties and molecular weight (MW) of the hyaluronan preparations. This prospective, controlled, double-blind, randomised clinical trial was aimed at comparing the elastoviscous properties of a high molecular weight viscosupplement, hylan G-F 20, with that of a lower molecular weight hyaluronan product in order to determine the relationship of elastoviscosity to efficacy, alongside placebo, in the treatment of patients with knee OA. The results were analysed as a "completers" analysis with 59 patients. Primary outcome measures included the Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain, stiffness and function scores, and patient and physician global assessments (0-100 scale). For patient (PGA) and physician global assessments (PhGA), the 0-100 scale was used, with 100 being the worst. Follow-up assessments were made at intervals of 1, 3 and 6 months after the first injection. Local adverse events, such as transient pain at the injection site or warm knee lasting for one night, were recorded in two patients (3%). In all groups, the WOMAC pain score exhibited a significant difference from the baseline value; neither treatment group was significantly different from the placebo group, but total pain score was significantly better than baseline for both of the HA groups at the end of 6 months (p < 0.05). Improvement in WOMAC physical function score favoured both sodium hyaluronate and hylan G-F 20 after the first month, and remained significant until the end of 6 months (p < 0.01). In the placebo group, the physical function scores became worse after the end of the 1st month; the scores at the end of 6 months were no different from those at the beginning. The WOMAC stiffness scores of both of the hyaluronic acid groups improved with the first injection, and remained significantly better than the placebo group until the end of the survey (p < 0.001). All groups expressed improvement with PGA scores after the first injection. At the end of 6 months all three groups were similar, but the treatment groups were significantly better than the placebo group (p < 0.05), and all were significantly better than at the beginning (p < 0.05). The PhGA scores were similar in all groups until after the third injection. The second group was slightly better in the controls at 1 and 3 months, but all the groups were similar at the end of 6 months. Although the placebo group seemed worse, it was not statistically significant. Compared with lower molecular weight HA, the higher molecular weight HA might be more efficacious in treating knee OA, but heterogeneity of previous studies limited definitive conclusions. Patients treated by injection of either of two hyaluronan preparations showed clinical improvement for pain, though no different from the placebo group; W...

Painful stiffening of the shoulder, 'frozen shoulder' is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability. Continuous passive motion (CPM) is an established method of preventing joint stiffness and of overcoming it. A randomized, comparative prospective clinical trial was planned to compare the early response with different rehabilitation methods [CPM vs. conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) protocol] for adhesive capsulitis taking into consideration the clinical efficacy. A total of 57 patients with frozen shoulder were included in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive daily CPM treatments or CPT protocol. Parameters were measured at baseline, and at weeks 4 and 12. All patients were evaluated with respect to pain (visual anologue scale) at rest, pain at movement, pain at night, measurement of range of motion (shoulder flexion, abduction, internal-external rotation were assessed), constant functional shoulder score and the shoulder pain and disability index. The first group (n=29) (CPM group) received CPM treatments for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. The second group (n=28) (CPT group) had a daily physiotherapy treatment protocol including active stretching and pendulum exercises for 1 h once a day for 20 days during a period of 4 weeks. All patients in both groups were also instructed in a standardized home exercise programme consisting of passive range of motion and pendulum exercises to be performed every day. In both groups, statistically significant improvements were detected in all outcome measures compared with baseline. Pain reduction, however, evaluated with respect to pain at rest, at movement and at night was better in CPM group. In addition the CPM group showed better shoulder pain index scores than the CPT group. CPM treatment provides better response in pain reduction than the conventional physiotherapy treatment protocol in the early phase of treatment in adhesive capsulitis.