The Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF GRAZ · Feb 5, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of low-level laser therapy on patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), a condition where pressure on the median nerve can cause pain, tingling, and discomfort in the hand and wrist. Many patients are experiencing delays in surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so this non-invasive therapy could provide relief from their symptoms while they wait for the operation. The trial will last for three weeks and will help us understand whether this laser treatment can improve quality of life for those suffering from CTS.

To participate in this study, you must be between 18 and 80 years old, have experienced CTS symptoms like pain or tingling for at least three months, and be willing to commit to the three-week therapy. If you qualify and decide to join, you will receive either the laser treatment or a placebo (a treatment that looks the same but doesn’t have any effect) to compare results. It's important to know that some individuals, such as those with certain nerve or joint conditions, may not be eligible. This trial aims to find a safe and effective alternative to surgery for managing CTS symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Existing written consent of the participating person after informed consent.
• • The patient is capable of giving consent.
• • Isolated surgery-induced CTS
• • CTS patients with pain (NRS between 2 and 6) and/or paresthesia and/or nocturnal pain that has been present for at least 3 months (pain reported using the "Numerical Rating Scale for Pain" (NRS) between 0 and 10).
• • Compliance with 3 weeks of cold light therapy.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Absence of informed consent
• • Patients under 18 years or over 80 years
• • Patients from protected groups as well as people who are not able to personally give consent
• • Participation in other clinical trials within the last 4 weeks before the start of the study
• • traumatic and atraumatic median nerve lesions/damage/narrowing
• • Previous operations in the area innervated by the median nerve or in the area of the affected upper extremity/hand
• • CTS recurrence of the affected hand
• • Thenar atrophy of the affected hand
• • Nerve diseases that affect the upper extremity including the hand (e.g. polyneuropathy)
• • Cervical radiculopathy C6/C
• • Osteoarthritis of the affected hand (e.g. rhizarthrosis)
• • Arthritis of the affected hand
• • Metabolic diseases that have an influence on the sensory or function of the hand
• • Vascular diseases affecting the upper extremity or hand (e.g. Raynaud's syndrome)
• • other compressions or injuries of the median nerve (e.g. thoracic outlet syndrome, scalene syndrome, pronator teres syndrome)