Prospective, Comparative, Randomized Study of the Effectiveness of Shock Wave Treatment in Myofascial Pain Syndrome in Low Back Pain

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shockwave treatment has been used widely for musculoskeletal conditions, however no randomized controlled trial are available about its use for chronic low back pain with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). HYPOTHESIS: Radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment (rESWT) improves pain intensity and functional disability compared with placebo in patients with chronic low back pain due to MPS. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be carried out on 40 patients who has moderate to severe pain (VAS > 4) for more than 6 months, despite 6 weeks of conservative treatment with antidepressants associated with rehabilitation. Six interventions of rESWT (3-4 bar; 1000 impulses per trigger point (TP) or 2500 impulses per muscle) will be compared with placebo. The outcome measures were pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index, Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and the temperature of the treated area will be evaluated with Thermography. The assessments will be apply before treatment, after conservative treatment, 6 and 12 weeks after rESWT.