The efficacy of ultrasound and low-intensity laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Aim: The most frequent type of peripheral entrapment neuropathy is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist level. Ultrasound (US) and low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) are among the most commonly used physical therapy methods in the treatment of CTS. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of US and LILT in the treatment of CTS and their superiority to each other. Material and Method: Patients who were admitted to the physical therapy program with the diagnosis of CTS in our clinic were retrospectively examined. A total of eleven patients (18 wrists) diagnosed with mild and moderate CTS were included in our study with the G-Power program with a 5 % margin of error and 80 % power. Patients were divided into US and LILT groups using a simple randomization method. The patients were evaluated in terms of clinical and electrophysiological parameters before and after treatment. Results: A total of 18 wrists were included in our study, of which eight patients were diagnosed with mild CTS and the rest (n=10) with moderate CTS. The mean age of the patients was 49.66±10.68 years. When the post-treatment clinical (Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ), hand and pinch grip strength, measurement of wrist joint range of motion) and electrophysiological parameters were evaluated between the US and LILT groups, no significant difference was found in terms of their superiority over each other (p>0.05). When the LILT group was compared before and after treatment, a statistically significant difference was found in the degree of wrist extension, handgrip strength and BCTQ parameters. (p<0.05). Conclusion: When US and LILT were compared in patients with mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, no significant difference was found between the groups in terms of clinical and electrophysiological parameters. However, a statistically significant difference was found in the LILT group in terms of some clinical parameters before and after treatment.