The effectiveness of the low-power laser and kinesiotaping in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, a pilot study

Abstract

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.

Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment According to Severity and Systemic Disease in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

“…Six studies observed the effectiveness of drugs [29,[32][33][34][35][36]; eight studies evaluated the effectiveness of electrotherapy [21,22,25,[37][38][39][40][41] (diathermy, shock waves, radiofrequency, and so on); and eight studies the effect of manual therapy [26][27][28][42][43][44][45][46]. Three studies compared electrotherapy and a drug intervention [24,47,48] and two studies compared electrotherapy and manual therapy [23,30].…”

“…Two articles differed from these categories: one study analyzed the effectiveness of an alternative therapy (lavender ointment) [49] and the other one, a thermal agent (paraffin wax) [50]. Twelve studies had a control group [22,25,27,28,33,[41][42][43][44][45][46]; nine studies a placebo group [21,29,[37][38][39][40]42,48,49]; and thirteen studies an alternative treatment [23,24,26,27,30,32,[34][35][36][37]39,47,48]. There were six articles having three or more groups [27,32,37,39,42,48].…”

“…Twelve studies had a control group [22,25,27,28,33,[41][42][43][44][45][46]; nine studies a placebo group [21,29,[37][38][39][40]42,48,49]; and thirteen studies an alternative treatment [23,24,26,27,30,32,[34][35][36][37]39,47,48]. There were six articles having three or more groups [27,32,37,39,42,48].…”

Taping for conditions of the musculoskeletal system: an evidence map review

“…There were seven RCTs investigating taping strategies for the treatment of conditions of the hand and wrist with PEDro scores ranging from 5 to 9 (Appendix 2 File: Appendix 2F). Four RCTs investigated KT for carpal tunnel syndrome [122][123][124][125], one RCT assessed KT for de Quervain's syndrome [126], one RCT investigated rigid tape for dorsal wrist pain [127], and one RCT evaluated elastic tape configuration for OA of the proximal interphalangeal joint [128]. No studies investigated Mulligan taping or Mc-T musculoskeletal conditions of the wrist or hand.…”

Participants’ perceptions of Kinesio tape for carpal tunnel syndrome: A qualitative study

“…11–13 Emerging evidence is suggestive for the use of Kinesio taping for individuals with CTS, with studies indicating improvements in symptoms, function, and physiologic parameters similar to that of other modalities such as low-power laser treatments. 14,15 Moreover, although CTS is the third most studied diagnosis for distal upper limb rehabilitation less than five percent of studies have explored patient experiences using qualitative methods. 16 Such studies are needed to better answer clinical questions regarding successful intervention options, the impact of self-efficacy on performance, and adapted responses to environmental tasks.…”