Clinical outcome and neurophysiological results of low-power laser irradiation in carpal tunnel syndrome

The present study evaluates the effects of Low Power Laser (LPL) irradiation (pulsed wave 830 nm GaAs laser tri-diode) on 17 primary carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) hands through nerve conduction studies and through a validated clinical patient-oriented questionnaire. Systematic early and late follow-up (six evaluations) was achieved and showed transitory improvement of clinical and neurophysiological patterns; the maximum effect was observed at the end and 15 days after therapy. Later evaluations (2 and 12 months) showed that almost all parameters progressively returned to the pretreatment pattern. The results were compared with those obtained from an untreated control group. The data suggest that low power laser treatment can improve the condition of CTS hands, but it seems that this is transitory. Our observations suggest that LPL may be a useful therapy in selected cases of CTS.