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CTRI Number  CTRI/2026/02/103141 [Registered on: 05/02/2026] Trial Registered Prospectively
Last Modified On: 04/02/2026
Post Graduate Thesis  Yes 
Type of Trial  Interventional 
Type of Study   Medical Device 
Study Design  Randomized, Parallel Group Trial 
Public Title of Study   Comparison of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Dry Needling in the Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome 
Scientific Title of Study   A Comparative Study between Low-level Laser Therapy and Dry Needling in the Management of Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolkata 
Trial Acronym  NIL 
Secondary IDs if Any  
Secondary ID  Identifier 
NIL  NIL 
 
Details of Principal Investigator or overall Trial Coordinator (multi-center study)  
Name  MKai Sian Khai Haokip 
Designation  Post Graduate Trainee 
Affiliation  R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata 
Address  Room No. 110, OPD Building, Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital 1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata Kolkata WEST BENGAL 700004 India

Kolkata
WEST BENGAL
700004
India 
Phone  7005033584  
Fax    
Email  khakhaihaokip@yahoo.co.uk  
 
Details of Contact Person
Scientific Query
 
Name  Dr Pankaj Kumar Mandal 
Designation  Professor and Head, Department of PMR, RGKMCH 
Affiliation  R G Kar Medical College and Hospital 
Address  Dept. of PMR, R. G. Kar Medical College, 1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata Kolkata WEST BENGAL 700004 India

Kolkata
WEST BENGAL
700004
India 
Phone  9433915696  
Fax    
Email  rehabyouall@gmail.com  
 
Details of Contact Person
Public Query
 
Name  Dr Pankaj Kumar Mandal 
Designation  Professor and Head, Department of PMR, RGKMCH 
Affiliation  R G Kar Medical College and Hospital 
Address  Dept. of PMR, R. G. Kar Medical College, 1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata Kolkata WEST BENGAL 700004 India

Kolkata
WEST BENGAL
700004
India 
Phone  9433915696  
Fax    
Email  rehabyouall@gmail.com  
 
Source of Monetary or Material Support  
R. G. Kar Medical College, 1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata- 700004, West Bengal, India 
 
Primary Sponsor  
Name  R. G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata 
Address  1, Khudiram Bose Sarani, Kolkata- 700004 
Type of Sponsor  Government medical college 
 
Details of Secondary Sponsor  
Name  Address 
NIL  NIL 
 
Countries of Recruitment     India  
Sites of Study  
No of Sites = 1  
Name of Principal Investigator  Name of Site  Site Address  Phone/Fax/Email 
Dr M Kai Sian Khai Haokip  R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital  Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Room No. 110, Ground Floor, OPD Building Kolkata WEST BENGAL
Kolkata
WEST BENGAL 
7005033584

khakhaihaokip@yahoo.co.uk 
 
Details of Ethics Committee  
No of Ethics Committees= 1  
Name of Committee  Approval Status 
Institutional Ethics Committee, R. G. Kar Medical College  Approved 
 
Regulatory Clearance Status from DCGI  
Status 
Not Applicable 
 
Health Condition / Problems Studied  
Health Type  Condition 
Patients  (1) ICD-10 Condition: M791||Myalgia,  
 
Intervention / Comparator Agent  
Type  Name  Details 
Comparator Agent  Dry Needling  Day 0, Day 7, Day 14, Day 21 
Intervention  Low-level Laser Therapy  Day 0, Day 2, Day 5, Day 7, Day 9, Day 11, Day 14, Day 16, Day 18, Day 21, Day 23, Day 25 
 
Inclusion Criteria  
Age From  18.00 Year(s)
Age To  60.00 Year(s)
Gender  Both 
Details  Presence of active trigger points in the cervical region, parascapular region up
to inferior angle of scapula up to T7 vertebral level.
Pain persisting for at least 3 months.
 
 
ExclusionCriteria 
Details  Patients having diabetes mellitus.
Patients with systemic diseases affecting musculoskeletal function (e.g.,
rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia).
History of trauma or surgery in the affected region.
Contraindications to laser therapy or dry needling (e.g., infection, malignancy,
pregnancy).
Use of other concurrent pain management treatments (e.g., steroid injections,
opioid therapy, physiotherapy).
Patients with implanted pacemaker.
Existing psychological issues. 
 
Method of Generating Random Sequence   Permuted block randomization, variable 
Method of Concealment   Sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes 
Blinding/Masking   Not Applicable 
Primary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
To compare the efficacy of low-level laser therapy and dry
needling in reducing pain in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)
using Visual Analog Scale (VAS). 
Day 0, week 4, week 16, week 28 
 
Secondary Outcome  
Outcome  TimePoints 
To evaluate the effect of both treatments on general
health using the Nottingham Health Profile. 
Day 0, week 4, week 16, week 28 
 
Target Sample Size   Total Sample Size="50"
Sample Size from India="50" 
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (Total)= "Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials"
Final Enrollment numbers achieved (India)="Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials" 
Phase of Trial   Phase 2/ Phase 3 
Date of First Enrollment (India)   02/03/2026 
Date of Study Completion (India) Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials 
Date of First Enrollment (Global)  Date Missing 
Date of Study Completion (Global) Applicable only for Completed/Terminated trials 
Estimated Duration of Trial   Years="1"
Months="0"
Days="0" 
Recruitment Status of Trial (Global)   Not Applicable 
Recruitment Status of Trial (India)  Not Yet Recruiting 
Publication Details   N/A 
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement

Will individual participant data (IPD) be shared publicly (including data dictionaries)?  

Response - NO
Brief Summary  

This randomized controlled study aims to compare the effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Dry Needling (DN) in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in patients with Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) attending a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. MPS is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by myofascial trigger points, muscle stiffness, and localized or referred pain, frequently associated with poor posture, repetitive strain, and muscle overuse, leading to functional impairment and reduced quality of life. LLLT and DN are widely used non-pharmacological treatment modalities for MPS; LLLT acts through photobiomodulation to reduce inflammation and promote tissue healing, while DN alleviates pain by inactivating trigger points, reducing muscle tension, and improving local blood flow. However, direct comparative evidence between these interventions remains limited, particularly in the Indian population. A total of 50 patients with MPS will be enrolled and randomly allocated into two equal groups using block randomization. One group will receive LLLT three times per week, and the other group will undergo DN once weekly, for a duration of four weeks, along with standardized stretching exercises. Pain intensity, cervical range of motion, and general health status will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, goniometric measurements, and the Nottingham Health Profile at baseline, four weeks, three months, and six months. The study is expected to provide comparative evidence to assist clinicians in selecting effective and minimally invasive treatment options for the management of Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

 
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