Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Following Hand Flexor Tendon Repair (LASER)

Cairo University (CU)

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Hand Surgery; Laser Acupuncture; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS); Flexor Tendon Repair

Treatments: Device: Laser acupuncture; Other: Traditional Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07014774

Mahmoud-005745

Internal2025-Tendon (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of laser acupuncture in alleviating CTS symptoms following flexor tendon repair in the hand.

Full description

This study holds significant importance for clinical practice, patient care, and research.

• Clinical Practice: It provides a potential framework for physical therapists to design targeted and effective interventions for laser acupuncture on CTS following flexor tendon repair in the hand.
• Patient Care: Improved rehabilitation outcomes can enhance patients' physical functionality, independence, and overall quality of life, addressing a critical gap in post-operative complications.
• Research Advancement: By contributing to the limited body of literature on laser acupuncture in this context, the study can stimulate further research and innovation in carpal tunnel syndrome following hand flexor tendon repair.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 20 to 40 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 20-40 years who have undergone flexor tendon repair surgery.
• Patients who have undergone primary or secondary repair of flexor tendons in the hand at zone 4 (zone of carpal tunnel as it often be complicated by postoperative adhesions due to close quarters and synovial sheath of the carpal tunnel) (Fulchignoni C et al., 2020).
• Surgery occurred within a specific timeframe, often within 6-12 weeks prior to inclusion (Peters SE, Jha B, Ross M., 2021).
• Patient have clinical and electro diagnostic evidence of CTS.
• All patients enrolled to the study will have their informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Pre-existing neurological disorders.
• Systemic illnesses affecting nerve function (e.g., diabetes).
• Contraindications to laser therapy.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Active infections or open wounds in the hand or wrist.
• Previous history of carpal tunnel release surgery or received an injection of steroid for CTS.
• Previous history of brachial plexus injury or median nerve injury.
• Other severe neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.
• Epilepsy or any psychological disorders.
• Cancer.
• Spots over the treated points.
• Pacemaker or implanted devices.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Laser acupuncture

Experimental group

Description:

This group includes 30 patients who have had flexor tendon repair surgery and will receive laser acupuncture inform of acupuncture points associated with the median nerve pathway in addition to traditional physical therapy. Patients will receive 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks; each laser acupuncture session lasts 12 minutes, laser applied directly to 12 acupuncture points each point 60 seconds.

Treatment:

Other: Traditional Therapy

Device: Laser acupuncture

Traditional therapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group includes 30 patients who have had flexor tendon repair surgery and will receive standard postoperative care including physical therapy and medical treatment as needed. Patients will receive 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks; the time of session is 30 minutes according to patient ability.

Treatment:

Other: Traditional Therapy