INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue IX, September 2025

www.ijltemas.in Page 776

Effectiveness of Functional Magnetic Stimulation versus

Conventional Physiotherapy in Myofascial Pain Syndrome of

Upper Trapezius: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled

Trial

Shreya Mishra*¹, Shilpa Jain²

Background

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius is a common musculoskeletal condition characterized by active

myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), leading to pain, disability, and diminished quality of life. Traditional physiotherapy, despite its

prevalence, frequently offers merely transient alleviation. Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) is an innovative, non-invasive

technique that elicits painless, repeated muscle contractions using pulsed electromagnetic fields, potentially targeting underlying

pathology.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of Functional Magnetic Stimulation versus traditional physiotherapy in alleviating pain, enhancing

cervical range of motion (ROM), and diminishing disability in patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper

trapezius.

cervical range of motion assessed with a goniometer and disability evaluated using the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Evaluations

were conducted at baseline and after three weeks by a blinded evaluator.

Conclusion

This study aims to provide protocol to evident the effectiveness of FMS relative to Conventional physiotherapy for the

management of MPS. By overcoming the shortcomings of current therapies, FMS has the capacity to enhance patient outcomes in

a timely and non-invasive fashion.

Trial registration:

The study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI/2024/05/067997).

Keywords: Functional Magnetic Stimulation, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Trigger Points, Upper Trapezius, Randomized

Controlled Trial

(MTrPs) inside tense bands of skeletal muscle. Active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) elicit spontaneous and referred pain,

while latent MTrPs induce pain solely upon probing. The upper trapezius muscle is often impacted, resulting in rigidity, limited

cervical mobility, and diminished everyday performance [3].

The pathogenesis of MPS encompasses extended sarcomere contraction, ischemia, metabolic stress, peripheral sensitization, and

central sensitization. Therapeutic modalities encompass pharmacological intervention, manual therapy, dry needling, ultrasound

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue IX, September 2025

www.ijltemas.in Page 777

treatment, thermotherapy, and exercise. Nonetheless, these techniques frequently provide merely temporary alleviation, may be

intrusive, or are inadequately accepted [4–6]. Traditional physiotherapy procedures, such as heat fomentation, stretching,

ultrasound, and manual release, have shown restricted long-term effectiveness [7].

Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) constitutes a viable treatment option. FMS use high-intensity, pulsed electromagnetic

enhancing cervical range of motion, and diminishing impairment in individuals with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome.

II. Methods

Study design

This research is a single-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted in compliance with the CONSORT

principles. It has been prospectively registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2024/05/067997). Ethical

approval was secured from the Institutional Ethics Committee, and the trial was executed in compliance with the Declaration of

Helsinki (2013 revision).

Participants

Inclusion criteria:

• Age between 18 and 45 years

• History of cervical trauma or surgical intervention

• Cervical radiculopathy or other neurological conditions

• Psychiatric disorders, malignancies, or systemic illnesses

• Recent dry needling or injection treatments

• Pregnancy

• Contraindications to magnetic or electrotherapy (e.g., pacemaker, metallic implants)

Sample size

Considering the expected medium effect size, α = 0.05, and power (1–β) = 0.8, a minimum of 54 participants (27 per group) was

determined necessary to identify clinically significant differences between therapies.

Randomization and allocation concealment

considerations in physiotherapy-based intervention studies.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue IX, September 2025

www.ijltemas.in Page 778

Interventions

Experimental group (FMS)

Participants underwent therapy with the BTL-6000 Super Inductive System. The stimulation applicator was placed across the

upper trapezius myofascial trigger point region while the patient is in a prone position just 2 cm above the skin contact. The

intensity was established at 30–40% of maximal output, modified according to tolerance, with frequency customized for Trigger

Points. Each session endured for 10 minutes, occurring three times weekly over a span of three weeks, totaling 9 sessions.

Control group (Conventional physiotherapy)

Pain intensity measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Secondary outcomes

Cervical ROM (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) measured with a universal goniometer. Neck Disability Index (NDI)

for functional disability

Assessments were performed at baseline and after three weeks.

Data collection and management

Data was gathered utilizing standardized forms and input into a secure electronic database. Double data entering was utilized to

reduce inaccuracies. Personal identifiers were eliminated to maintain confidentiality.

Statistical analysis

All analyses will be conducted using the intention-to-treat principle to preserve randomization benefits. Missing data will be

Stimulation for myofascial pain syndrome. This short-term evaluation is intended to generate foundational evidence for future

trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. The trial seeks to fill existing gaps in the literature by evaluating if FMS, a non-invasive and

time-efficient method, can yield enhanced results in pain alleviation, cervical mobility, and disability enhancement. The results of

this experiment have contributed to evidence-based practice and directed the incorporation of FMS into physiotherapy regimens.

Strength and Limitations of the Protocol

This protocol is methodologically stringent, employing randomisation, allocation concealment, and assessor blinding, utilising

validated instruments such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and goniometric cervical range of

motion (ROM). Nonetheless, blinding of participants and therapists is impractical due to the inherent characteristics of the

therapies, potentially leading to performance bias. The brief intervention duration and absence of long-term follow-up limit

findings regarding sustained efficacy. The disparity in treatment durations among groups and the lack of a sham-FMS control

may also affect outcomes. Psychosocial variables, including quality of life, were excluded, as the current study primarily seeks to

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)

ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue IX, September 2025

www.ijltemas.in Page 779

Declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Approved by the Student’s Reserach Committee of School of Physiotherapy, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

University. nformed consent in writing was obtained from all subjects.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data and materials

Data generated from this study will be available upon reasonable request.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.