[Study of short term effects of low level laser therapy [LLLT] vs. local steroid injection on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome]

ABSTRACT

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Non-surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently offered to those with mild to moderate symptoms. The effectiveness of some non-surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome remain unknown. This study designed to compare the short term efficacy of local corticosteroid injection and laser treatment for mild to moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. 44 hands in 33 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electrodiagnostic study were allocated randomly in two experimental groups. One group received local corticosteroid injection and the other received low level lasertherapy. Measurements were performed before and 8 weeks after treatments, and included pain assessment by visual analogue scale [VAS] and electrodiagnostic measurement [motor and sensory latencies and motor and sensory action potential amplitudes]. There was a significant symptomatic and electrodiagnostic improvement in both the injection and laser groups [P<0.05]. However, there was no significant difference in any of the outcome measures between the two groups [P>0.05]. LLLT was effective in treating carpal tunnel syndrome as well as local corticosteroid injection at least in short-term Long-term efficacy needs more investigation