Abstract
[Purpose] This placebo-controlled study investigated the therapeutic
effects of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) on the transverse carpal
ligament in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). [Subjects and Methods] Idiopathic
CTS patients were recruited and were randomly assigned to two groups.
The laser group (n = 45) received laser treatment (10 Hz, 60 mW,
9.7 J/cm2, 830 nm), and the placebo group (n = 42) received
sham laser treatment. The visual analog scale (VAS), Boston Questionnaire
scale, neurological symptoms and nerve conduction study (NCS) were
conducted before, immediately after and 5 weeks after the treatment. [Results]
After LLLT, there was statistically significant decrease in VAS
in the laser group (p<0.05). Especially, the effect of LLLT
on pain alleviation in the mild CTS group continued after five weeks. Regarding
the Boston Questionnaire scale neurological symptoms and NCS, only
mild CTS patients in the laser group showed statistically significant
improvements after treatment (p<0.05). [Conclusions] LLLT with
830 nm diode lasers on the transverse carpal ligament had verifiable
therapeutic effects for mild CTS patients.