In mild and moderate cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the conservative approach is suggested. The purpose of this study is to assess and compare the effect of low-power laser versus the combination of low-power laser and kinesiotaping on pain, muscle strength, functionality, and electrophysiologic parameters in the patients with CTS. The study was planned as single-blind, prospective, randomized control. 64 hands diagnosed with CTS were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into three groups by closed envelope method. Low-power laser therapy was applied to Group 1 (21 hands), kinesiotaping and low-power laser therapy in group 2 (22 hands), sham laser therapy in Group 3 (21 hands). All patients were assessed by visual numeric pain scale (VNS), hand grip strength (HGS), finger pinch strength (FPS), the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ), before treatment, after treatment (3rd week), and after (12th week) 3 months the treatment with the same physician. Motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were performed with electroneuromyography (ENMG) before the treatment (0th week) and at the end of the 12th week. Comparison of the group 1 with the group 3 showed significantly better improvement in the former in VNS, BCTSQ at 3rd week and 12th week compared to 0th week, and in FPS and HGS at 3rd week. Comparison of the group 2 with the group 3 showed significantly better improvement in the former VNS, BCTSQ, FPS and HGS at 3rd and 12th week compared to 0th week. When Group 1 and Group 2 were compared there was no statistically significant difference in any parameters in the 3rd week, but there was a statistically significant difference in favor of group 2 in FPS and HGS parameters at the 12th week. We have found that the kinesiotaping method applied with low-power laser treatment does not provide any additional benefit to the low-power laser treatment in the short term, however, in the long term, the increase in the HGS and FPS has occurred. In conclusion, low-power laser and kinesiotaping method in the treatment of CTS may be an effective and reliable treatment option in clinical parameters.

Objective. Cervical radiculopathy is one of the common causes of the neck pain. Medical devices in the form of cervical collars are frequently recommended in acute cervical radiculopathy. We aim to investigate and compare the effect of soft and semi-rigid cervical collars on neck pain, disability and daily life activities in the patients with acute cervical radiculopathy. Methods. We designed a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled study. This study was conducted on 101 patients who were diagnosed with clinical features of radiculopathy and imaging showing cervical disc herniation. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and SF-36 were applied to the subjects. Evaluation of the patients was done before the treatment and 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the start of the treatment. Patients were divided into three groups according to the computer-generated randomization table: Soft cervical collar, semi-rigid cervical collar and control group. The patients in collar groups were asked to wear the collars for 8 hours during the day for the first 2 weeks. Results. Comparison of the soft cervical collar group with the control group showed significantly better improvement in the former in VAS and NDI scores at week 2 and 6 (p < 0.05), in SF-36 pain perception subunit at week 2 (p < 0.05), and in SF-36 physical component score at week 6 (p < 0.05). Comparison of the semi-rigid cervical collar group with the control showed significantly better improvement in the former for NDI scores and SF-36 pain perception subunit at week 2 and 6 (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The results of our study have indicated that the use of soft and semi-rigid cervical collars was more effective than conservative treatment in treatment of neck pain and disability in acute cervical radiculopathy in the short term. Soft cervical collars were also found to be more effective for pain management than semi-rigid cervical collars.

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