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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Neuropathic Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Interferential Laser Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: Conventional Laser Therapy<br> | Device: Interferential Laser Therapy<br>* PROCEDURE: Interventional group: Two independents and identical probes. Energy dose per point and per probe: 5 J. Continuous emission. Treatment time:8 minutes. Sessions: 10. Frequency of the sessions: daily. Irradiation technique: handily, in contact and at 7 points over distal pathway of median nerve.Control group: Sham laser:650 nm.Scanning mode.Outpout power:1 mW.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Interferential Laser Therapy<br> | Device: Interferential Laser Therapy<br>* PROCEDURE: Interventional group: Two independents and identical probes. Energy dose per point and per probe: 5 J. Continuous emission. Treatment time:8 minutes. Sessions: 10. Frequency of the sessions: daily. Irradiation technique: handily, in contact and at 7 points over distal pathway of median nerve.Control group: Sham laser:650 nm.Scanning mode.Outpout power:1 mW.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) | Visual Analogue Scale during wrist analitical movements. | 5 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Disability Arm Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) |  | 15 minutes | 
| Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire |  | 5 minutes | 
| Dinamometry | Power grip and pinch grip. | 5 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Interferential laser therapy, Low-level laser therapy, Neuropathic pain, Median nerve compression