Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Marisa de Cássia Registro Fonseca¹  Nilton Mazzer¹  Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus Guirro¹  Valéria Meirelles Carril Elui²  Alexandre Márcio Marcolino³  Guilherme Tamanini³  Eula Katucha da Silva Rodrigues³  Rafael Inácio Barbosa³ 

[1] Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor Apparatus, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP 14049-900, Brazil;Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP 14049-900, Brazil;Rehabilitation and Functional Performance Program, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP CEP 14049-900, Brasil

关键词: Rehabilitation;    Low-level laser therapy;    Carpal tunnel syndrome;   

Others  :  1134366
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-13-248

 received in 2012-11-06, accepted in 2012-12-06,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

Background

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy in the upper extremity, resulting from the compression of the median nerve at wrist level. Clinical studies are essentials to present evidence on therapeutic resources use at early restoration on peripheral nerve functionality. Low-level laser therapy has been widely investigated in researches related to nerve regeneration. Therefore, it is suggested that the effect of low-level laser therapy associated with other conservative rehabilitation techniques may positively affect symptoms and overall hand function in compressive neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in addition to orthoses therapy and home orientations in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods/Design

Patients older than 18 years old will be included, with clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, excluding comorbidies. A physiotherapist will conduct intervention, with a blinding evaluator. Randomization will be applied to allocate the patients in each group: with association or not to low-level laser therapy. All of them will be submitted to orthoses therapy and home orientations. Outcome will be assessed through: pain visual analogic scale, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments™ threshold sensibility test, Pinch Gauge™, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and two point discrimination test.

Discussion

This paper describes the design of a randomized controlled trial, which aim to assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment added to low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec) - 75ddtf / Universal Trial Number: U1111-1121-5184

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Barbosa et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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