ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy applied to acupuncture points [laser acupuncture] in the treatment of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome
Patients and methods: This study was carried out on 40 hands of patients with minimal, mild and moderate idiopathic CTS. All patients received sessions of laser therapy for 1.5 months, 3 times a week. The red beam laser was applied to shallow acupuncture points on the affected fingers and hand and to deep acupuncture points located on the elbow, shoulder, upper back and cervical paraspinal areas on the affected side. Clinical and electrophysiological evaluations were done before, after 1.5 months of treatment and 2 months later as follow up. Forty healthy volunteers [80 hands] matched in age and sex were considered as a control group for the electrophysiological studies
Results: The results of this study revealed significant improvement of all clinical parameters including pain, parasthesias, awakening at night and both Tinel's and Phalen's signs. There was also significant improvement of distal motor latency and sensory conduction velocity of median nerve. These improvements were maintained through the follow up period
Conclusion: Laser acupuncture is a new conservative modality recommended for the treatment of mild and moderate cases of idiopathic CTS