Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Versus Phonophoresis Therapy for Neck Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effects of using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ECSWT) and phonophoresis therapy on pain and neck disability in patients with neck myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). METHODS: Forty eligible patients were randomly divided into two groups of ECSWT (received three sessions of ECSWT, once a week for three weeks) and phonophoresis (received ultrasound using hydrocortisone gel 1% over the trigger point on trapezius muscle, three times a week for three weeks). Patients in both groups received the same stretching exercise program and drug regimen during the intervention. RESULTS: Pain and NDI scores in both groups were significantly improved at the end of the treatment and four weeks later. At the end of the treatment, the pain score was similar between the groups. Four weeks after the treatment, the pain score in the ECSWT group was significantly lower than in the phonophoresis group (P-value = 0.030). The NDI score was not significantly different between the groups at the end of the treatment. However, four weeks after the treatment, the NDI score was significantly lower in the ECSWT group than in the phonophoresis group (P-value=0.032). The trend of changes in the pain and NDI scores was not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both phonophoresis and ECSWT groups effectively decreased pain and neck disability in patients with MPS, with the superiority of ECSWT with a more lasting effect for a month after the end of the treatment.