RT - Journal Article T1 - Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy with Wrist Splinting on Outcome of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial JF - intjmi YR - 2018 JO - intjmi VO - 7 IS - 4 UR - http://intjmi.com/article-1-346-en.html SP - 5 EP - 14 K1 - Low-Level Laser Therapy K1 - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) K1 - Wrist Splint K1 - Outcome AB - Introduction: To determine the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on clinical symptoms and electrophysiological parameters of patients with mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted during a 1-year period in January 2015 to January 2016 in outpatient clinics of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. This study is registered with Iranian Clinical Trial Registry (IRCT20120716010297N5). We included 61 hands with mild and moderate CTS from both genders with an age range of 30 to 65 years. The hands were randomly assigned to receive LLLT and night wrist splint (n=31) or sham laser therapy and night wrist splint (n=30). Symptoms severity scores (SSS), functional severity score (FSS), visual analogue scale (VAS) and nerve conductive study (NCS) parameters using electrodiagnostic equipment were evaluated based on clinical parameters (Phalen’s and Tinel tests) at 6 months after treatment. Findings: The baseline characteristics were comparable between two study groups. The VAS, SSS, FSS, peak sensory latency and distal motor latency decreased significantly in both study group after 6 months of intervention. We found that those receiving LLLT had significantly lower VAS (p=0.001), SSS (p<0.001) and FSS (p<0.001) compared to sham laser therapy after 6 months of follow-up. In the same way, those in LLLT group had significantly lower values of peak sensory latency compared to sham group (p<0.001). Those receiving LLLT had significantly higher decrease in mean values of VAS (p=0.032), SSS (p=0.021), FSS (p=0.002) and distal motor latency (p<0.001) when compared to those in sham group. However, the decrease in mean differences of peak sensory latency was comparable between two study groups. Conclusion: LLLT is associated with improved pain, symptoms, function and sensory evoked potentials after 6 months in patients with mild to moderate CTS. LA eng UL http://intjmi.com/article-1-346-en.html M3 ER -