A comparison of low-level laser therapy versus ultrasound therapy in trigger point release for chronic tension headache

Author: 
Jothi Prasanna K., and Nandhini N

Background: Myofascial trigger points can be defined as the hyperirritable spot in the skeletal muscle that is associated with hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. Myofascial trigger point is associated with pain on compression and the pain is typically of areferred type. Trigger points helps to define myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial painsyndrome is the common cause for tension headache. Chronic tension headache is headache which lasts for more than 30 min to 7 days. Various studies proved low-level laser therapy and ultrasound therapy as effective in the treating trigger points. But there are no studies comparing the effect of low-level laser therapy and ultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic tension headache.
Objective: To compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and ultrasound therapy in subjects with chronic tension headache in reducing pain and improving function.
Study Design: Experimental study design.
Subjects: 20subjects, age group between 18-30 years, both men and women were included in the study.
Intervention: 10 subjects in Group-A received low-level laser therapy with pre-andpost-test and 10 subjects in Group-B received ultrasound therapy.
Outcome Measures: Algometer for pain measurement, Neck disability scale for functional outcomes.
Results: There was a significant reduction in pain scores from 0.830-1.374 (p<0.05).There was a significant reduction in disability from 23.80 -8.70 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The present study concluded that application of low-level laser therapy has decreased pain and improving function in chronic tension headache.

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DOI: 
http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijcar.2019.17632.3350
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