Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent compression neuropathy in the upper extremity. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare ultrasound and laser therapies separately and together in relieving hand pain and improving performance in mild and moderate CTS patients. Methods: In this single-blind trial, 45 patients (84 wrists) suffering from CTS were randomly divided into three treatment groups: the ultrasound and laser combination group (15 patients), the ultrasound therapy group (15 patients), and the laser therapy group (15 patients). Low-level laser therapy (total intensity of 9 J on 5 points) and ultrasound therapy (intensity of 1.25 W/cm and duty cycle of 20% for 5 minutes per session) were applied on the carpal tunnel for 10 sessions. For the ultrasound and laser combination group, the laser was first conducted in the same way for the laser therapy group, and ultrasound was performed immediately after, with the same parameters as those of the ultrasound therapy group. A visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength, pinch strength, and the Boston Questionnaire results were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results: All three treatment groups (the ultrasound and laser combination group, the ultrasound therapy group, and the laser therapy group) demonstrated significantly improved VAS (P=0.000, P = 0.000, and P = 0.000, respectively), grip strength (P = 0.003, P = 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively), pinch strength (P = 0.000, P = 0.004, and P = 0.002, respectively), and Boston questionnaire results (P = 0.000, P = 0.000, and P = 0.000, respectively). However, a comparison of treatment groups' mean changes indicated no significant difference among them (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Both ultrasound and laser modalities effectively relieve pain and improve functional hand performance in patients with mild and moderate CTS in the short term. The compound use of these two modalities may have a greater impact in treating these patients.
Background and Objective: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb and one of the causes of disability. The current study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and therapeutic ultrasound (US) in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Materials and Methods: This single-blind randomized trial was conducted on 30 patients with CTS (58 wrists) who were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: laser therapy group (15 patients, 29 wrist (and Ultrasound therapy group (15 patients, 29 wrists). Low-level laser therapy (9 joules, 808 nm infrared laser at five points) and Ultrasound treatment (1 MHz, 1.5 W/cm2, duty cycle 20%, 5 min/session) were applied to the carpal tunnel for 10 daily treatment sessions (5 sessions/week). Outcome measures were Visual analogue scale, pinch & grip strength and Boston questionnaire (BQ), which measured before and after treatment (the end of the study). The pair and independent t-test were used to evaluate the variables. Results: In both groups (laser therapy and Ultrasound therapy), there was a significant improvement in visual analog scale (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively), grip strength (P=0.01 and P=0.004, respectively), and pinch strength (P=0.001 and P=0.009, respectively). The results of the Boston Questionnaire also demonstrated an improvement (P=0.000 and P=0.000, respectively) at the end of the study, compared to baseline values. However, there was no significant difference in any of the measured variables between the two treatment groups. Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, both low-level laser therapy and ultrasound are effective in the reduction of pain and improvement of hand function in patients with mild-to-moderate CTS in the short-term.
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