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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: A controlled
study.
Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman
BE, Branco KF.
Department of Neurology, Boston
University School of
Medicine, Psychology Research Service, MA, USA. mnaeser@bu.edu
OBJECTIVE: To
investigate whether real or sham low-level laser therapy (LLLT) plus
microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve
stimulation (TENS) applied to acupuncture points significantly reduces pain in
carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
DESIGN:
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, crossover trial. Patients and staff
administered outcome measures blinded.
SETTING:
Outpatient, university-affiliated Department of Veterans
Affairs medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven mild to moderate CTS cases
(nerve conduction study, clinical examination) who failed standard medical or
surgical treatment for 3 to 30 months.
INTERVENTION:
Patients received real and sham treatment series (each for 3-4wk), in a
randomized order. Real treatments used red-beam laser (continuous wave, 15mW,
632.8nm) on shallow acupuncture points on the affected hand, infrared laser
(pulsed, 9.4W, 904nm) on deeper points on upper extremity and cervical paraspinal areas, and microamps
TENS on the affected wrist. Devices were painless, noninvasive, and produced no
sensation whether they were real or sham. The hand was treated behind a hanging
black curtain without the patient knowing if devices were on (real) or off
(sham).
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MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) score, sensory and motor
latencies, and Phalen and Tinel
signs.
RESULTS:
Significant decreases in MPQ score, median nerve sensory latency, and Phalen and Tinel signs after the
real treatment series but not after the sham treatment series. Patients could
perform their previous work (computer typist, handyman) and were stable for 1
to 3 years.
CONCLUSIONS:
This new, conservative treatment was effective in treating CTS pain; larger
studies are recommended. Copyright 2002 by the American Congress of
Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Publication Types:
- Clinical Trial
- Randomized
Controlled Trial
PMID: 12098159
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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