Low level laser therapy for myofascial pain in the neck and shoulder girdle. A double-blind, cross-over study.

In a controlled, cross-over study the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) was evaluated. During a five weeks period forty-seven female laboratory technicians received six laser and six placebo treatments to tender points in the neck and shoulder girdle. Subjects rated the placebo treatment significantly more beneficial than LLLT (p = .04). There was no reduction in consumption of analgesics associated with either laser or placebo treatment. The results indicate no beneficial effect of LLLT for myofascial pain.