Trial reportBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Immediate efficacy of low-intensity focused ultrasound versus planar ultrasound in patients with myofascial pain syndrome of upper trapezius: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
Trial report in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Acute effects of aerobic versus combined aerobic and cervical-upper extremity resistance exercise on pressure pain threshold, pain perception, and fatigue in workers exposed to high ergonomic risk with chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Trial
- Effects of cassava wax immersion on pain, pressure pain threshold, and upper extremity function among patients with trigger finger.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMyofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a chronic musculoskeletal disorder characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), causes localized pain and dysfunction. The objective is to compare the immediate therapeutic effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) versus low-intensity planar ultrasound (LIPU) on pain and function in upper trapezius MPS.
methodThis study was designed as a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. The patients (20 ≤ aged ≤ 70) diagnosed with MPS of the upper trapezius were randomly allocated to either LIFU (study group; n = 20; 9 men, 11 women) or LIPU (control group; n = 20; 15 men, 5 women) treatments (1.5 W/cm
resultsPain intensity, as measured by the VAS, decreased significantly immediately after treatment in both the LIFU group (median difference [MD] = -2.0 cm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.5 to -1.5 cm; p = 0.002) and the LIPU group (MD = -1.0 cm; 95% CI: -1.5 to -0.5 cm; p = 0.001), with these reductions maintained at 72 h post-treatment. Both SF-MPQ and NDI scores showed significant improvements following treatment in both groups. A significant reduction in RMS parameters was observed in the LIPU group immediately after treatment (MD = -15.3 µV; 95% CI: -20.0 to -10.5 µV; p = 0.028). No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of pain alleviation, functional improvement, and alterations in neuromuscular electrophysiological activity (p > 0.05); however, moderate to large effect sizes suggest possible clinical relevance. No adverse events were reported.
conclusionBoth LIFU and LIPU can be considered effective therapeutic options, offering immediate symptom relief in patients with upper trapezius MPS.
trial registrationThe protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR2500097431) as a clinical trial on 19/02/2025 http://www.chictr.org.cn/ .
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