Efficacy of the Interferential Laser Therapy in Pain Reduction in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Madrid Health Service

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 2

Conditions: Neuropathic Pain; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatments: Device: Interferential Laser Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01093209

Ramón y Cajal Hospital

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of the interferential laser therapy in the wrist and hand pain and disability reduction and force improvement in the carpal tunnel syndrome. Subjects are patients diagnosed of carpal tunnel syndrome who have been prescribed laser therapy. Settings: Ramon y Cajal Hospital. Department of Rehabilitation. Physical therapy unit. Electrotherapy section. Occupational Therapy. Department of Neurology.

Full description

The spatiotemporal superposition of two independent and opposite beams of laser generates a constructive interference pattern that increases the therapeutic effects in the irradiated tissue. Patient suffering pain from diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome will receive conventional or interferential laser therapy. This is a comparative randomized and double blind clinical study. Two identical lasers in near infrared range will be used. Frequency of sessions: daily. Irradiated technique: manual, contact and punctual. Pain will be evaluated by visual analog scale at rest and during analytical wrist movement. Disability will be evaluated by the DASH and BOSTON questionnaire. Evaluation will take place at pre and post-treatment times.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 80 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by means of an Electromyography Study.
• Patients with or not previous surgery.
• Patients with an age of 18 years or older.
• Patients having a signed informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with severe hand traumatisms.
• Patients with cervical radiculopathy.
• Patients with Outlet Thoracic Syndrome.
• Patients bearing osteo syntheses material.
• Patients suffering tumoral pathology.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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100 participants in 2 patient groups

Conventional Laser Therapy

Sham Comparator group

Treatment:

Device: Interferential Laser Therapy

Interferential Laser Therapy

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Device: Interferential Laser Therapy