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

Last updated: February 5, 2024
Sponsor: Medical University of Graz
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment

treatment with conventional light diodes

treatment with low-level laser therapy

Clinical Study ID

NCT06248541
EK-NR:35-255 ex 22/23
  • Ages 18-80
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a chronic compression of the median nerve, which can lead to symptoms such as nocturnal pain and paresthesia in the area innervated by the median nerve. The affected patients also describe discomfort and hypoesthesia in the nerve supply area. Due to the COVID (Coronavirus disease) pandemic, CTS operations have been postponed and delayed. A promising and safe alternative for improving CTS-related symptoms appears to be non-invasive, non-thermal low-level-laser therapy. As a possible conservative, alternative method, low-level-laser therapy has the potential to enable patients with CTS to improve their disease-related symptoms or at least to alleviate the symptoms until the indicated CTS operation (carpal tunnel release).

The aim of this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is to investigate the influence of 3 weeks of low-level-laser therapy on the symptoms typical of CTS in patients with surgery-indicated carpal tunnel syndrome and its influence on quality of life.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

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 painthat has been present for at least 3 months (pain reported using the "Numerical RatingScale for Pain" (NRS) between 0 and 10).
  • Compliance with 3 weeks of cold light therapy.

Exclusion

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 giveconsent
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the last 4 weeks before the start of thestudy
  • traumatic and atraumatic median nerve lesions/damage/narrowing
  • Previous operations in the area innervated by the median nerve or in the area of theaffected 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)

Study Design

Total Participants: 40
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: treatment with conventional light diodes
Phase:
Study Start date:
August 03, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2025

Connect with a study center

  • Medical University Graz

    Graz, Styria 8010
    Austria

    Active - Recruiting

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.