The effect and dosage of low level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome: A literature review
Corresponding Author(s) : Giselle Jefferian Pereira
eco203giselle@gmail.com
International Journal of Allied Medical Sciences and Clinical Research,
Vol. 8 No. 2 (2020): 2020 Volume 8- Issue -2
Abstract
Background
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment mononeuropathy seen very frequently in clinical practice, and is caused due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is one of the commonest peripheral nerve disorders seen in general population. Low level laser therapy has become progressively more popular in the management of a wide variety of medical conditions, such as soft tissue injuries, low back pain, arthritis and skin traumas.
Aim
This review aims at gathering information about the dosage parameters of Low level laser therapy and their respective effects on persons with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Methods
An extensive literature review was done on various electronic handprint databases which included Pedro, pub med, science direct and Google scholar. Total 8 articles were reviewed and reported based on eligibility criteria, which included 7 randomized controlled trials and 1 meta analysis.
Results
Low level laser therapy brings about an improvement in pain, clinical signs, nerve conduction velocity and functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, dosage specific effects of Low level laser therapy are not yet clear, and need further research.
Conclusion
In addition to the clinical benefits, low level laser therapy also reduces the treatment time and expense in each session as compared to other electrotherapeutic modalities.
Keywords
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Median nerve entrapment
Low level laser therapy
Low energy laser therapy
1.
Giselle Jefferian Pereira. The effect and dosage of low level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome: A literature review. Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Res. [Internet]. 2020 Aug. 15 [cited 2025 Sep. 21];8(2):166-72. Available from: https://ijamscr.com/ijamscr/article/view/845
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References
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Ibrahim I, Khan WS, Goddard N, Smitham P. Carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the recent literature. The open orthopaedics journal. 6, 2012, 69. [2]. Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Iversen V, Aimbire F, Lopes-Martins RA. Low-level laser therapy in acute pain: a systematic review of possible mechanisms of action and clinical effects in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Photomedicine and Laser Therapy. 24(2), 2006, 158-68.
Giselle J P et al / Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Research Vol-8(2) 2020 [166-172]
172
[3]. Li ZJ, Wang Y, Zhang HF, Ma XL, Tian P, Huang Y. Effectiveness of low-level laser on carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of previously reported randomized trials. Medicine. 95(31), 2016. [4]. Lazovic M, Ilic-Stojanovic O, Kocic M, Zivkovic V, Hrkovic M, Radosavljevic N. Placebo controlled investigation of low-level laser therapy to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 32(6), 2014, 336-44. [5]. Fusakul Y, Aranyavalai T, Saensri P, Thiengwittayaporn S. Low-level laser therapy with a wrist splint to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Lasers in medical science. 29(3), 2014, 1279-87. [6]. Jiang JA, Chang WD, Wu JH, Lai PT, Lin HY. Low-level laser treatment relieves pain and neurological symptoms in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 23(4), 2011, 661-5. [7]. Tascioglu F, Degirmenci NA, Ozkan S, Mehmetoglu O. Low-level laser in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographical evaluation. A randomized control trial. Rheumatology international. 32(2), 2012, 409-15. [8]. Dincer U, Cakar E, Kiralp MZ, Kilac H, Dursun H. The effectiveness of conservative treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome: splinting, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapies. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 27(1), 2009, 119-25. [9]. Chang WD, Wu JH, Jiang JA, Yeh CY, Tsai CT. Carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a diode laser: a controlled treatment of the transverse carpal ligament. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 26(6), 2008, 551-7. [10]. Shooshtari SM, Badiee V, Taghizadeh SH, Nematollahi AH, Amanollahi AH, Grami MT. The effects of low level laser in clinical outcome and neurophysiological results of carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Electromyography & Clinical Neurophysiology. 48(5), 2008, 229. [11]. Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman BE, Branco KF. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: a controlled study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 83(7), 2002, 978-88. [12]. Palmer KT. Carpal tunnel syndrome: the role of occupational factors. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 25(1), 2011, 15-29. [13]. Barbosa RI, da Silva Rodrigues EK, Tamanini G, Marcolino AM, Elui VM, de Jesus Guirro RR, Mazzer N, Fonseca MD. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 13(1), 2012, 248. [14]. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Cakir T, Subasi V, Yaman M. Laser therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 25(1), 2007, 34-9. [15]. The world association for laser therapy [Internet]. The dosage calculation revised 2010; Available from: waltza.co.za.
References
Ibrahim I, Khan WS, Goddard N, Smitham P. Carpal tunnel syndrome. A review of the recent literature. The open orthopaedics journal. 6, 2012, 69. [2]. Bjordal JM, Johnson MI, Iversen V, Aimbire F, Lopes-Martins RA. Low-level laser therapy in acute pain: a systematic review of possible mechanisms of action and clinical effects in randomized placebo-controlled trials. Photomedicine and Laser Therapy. 24(2), 2006, 158-68.
Giselle J P et al / Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Research Vol-8(2) 2020 [166-172]
172
[3]. Li ZJ, Wang Y, Zhang HF, Ma XL, Tian P, Huang Y. Effectiveness of low-level laser on carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of previously reported randomized trials. Medicine. 95(31), 2016. [4]. Lazovic M, Ilic-Stojanovic O, Kocic M, Zivkovic V, Hrkovic M, Radosavljevic N. Placebo controlled investigation of low-level laser therapy to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 32(6), 2014, 336-44. [5]. Fusakul Y, Aranyavalai T, Saensri P, Thiengwittayaporn S. Low-level laser therapy with a wrist splint to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Lasers in medical science. 29(3), 2014, 1279-87. [6]. Jiang JA, Chang WD, Wu JH, Lai PT, Lin HY. Low-level laser treatment relieves pain and neurological symptoms in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 23(4), 2011, 661-5. [7]. Tascioglu F, Degirmenci NA, Ozkan S, Mehmetoglu O. Low-level laser in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographical evaluation. A randomized control trial. Rheumatology international. 32(2), 2012, 409-15. [8]. Dincer U, Cakar E, Kiralp MZ, Kilac H, Dursun H. The effectiveness of conservative treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome: splinting, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapies. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 27(1), 2009, 119-25. [9]. Chang WD, Wu JH, Jiang JA, Yeh CY, Tsai CT. Carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a diode laser: a controlled treatment of the transverse carpal ligament. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 26(6), 2008, 551-7. [10]. Shooshtari SM, Badiee V, Taghizadeh SH, Nematollahi AH, Amanollahi AH, Grami MT. The effects of low level laser in clinical outcome and neurophysiological results of carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Electromyography & Clinical Neurophysiology. 48(5), 2008, 229. [11]. Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman BE, Branco KF. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: a controlled study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 83(7), 2002, 978-88. [12]. Palmer KT. Carpal tunnel syndrome: the role of occupational factors. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 25(1), 2011, 15-29. [13]. Barbosa RI, da Silva Rodrigues EK, Tamanini G, Marcolino AM, Elui VM, de Jesus Guirro RR, Mazzer N, Fonseca MD. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 13(1), 2012, 248. [14]. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Cakir T, Subasi V, Yaman M. Laser therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 25(1), 2007, 34-9. [15]. The world association for laser therapy [Internet]. The dosage calculation revised 2010; Available from: waltza.co.za.
Giselle J P et al / Int. J. of Allied Med. Sci. and Clin. Research Vol-8(2) 2020 [166-172]
172
[3]. Li ZJ, Wang Y, Zhang HF, Ma XL, Tian P, Huang Y. Effectiveness of low-level laser on carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis of previously reported randomized trials. Medicine. 95(31), 2016. [4]. Lazovic M, Ilic-Stojanovic O, Kocic M, Zivkovic V, Hrkovic M, Radosavljevic N. Placebo controlled investigation of low-level laser therapy to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 32(6), 2014, 336-44. [5]. Fusakul Y, Aranyavalai T, Saensri P, Thiengwittayaporn S. Low-level laser therapy with a wrist splint to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Lasers in medical science. 29(3), 2014, 1279-87. [6]. Jiang JA, Chang WD, Wu JH, Lai PT, Lin HY. Low-level laser treatment relieves pain and neurological symptoms in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 23(4), 2011, 661-5. [7]. Tascioglu F, Degirmenci NA, Ozkan S, Mehmetoglu O. Low-level laser in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical, electrophysiological and ultrasonographical evaluation. A randomized control trial. Rheumatology international. 32(2), 2012, 409-15. [8]. Dincer U, Cakar E, Kiralp MZ, Kilac H, Dursun H. The effectiveness of conservative treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome: splinting, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapies. A randomized control trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 27(1), 2009, 119-25. [9]. Chang WD, Wu JH, Jiang JA, Yeh CY, Tsai CT. Carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a diode laser: a controlled treatment of the transverse carpal ligament. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 26(6), 2008, 551-7. [10]. Shooshtari SM, Badiee V, Taghizadeh SH, Nematollahi AH, Amanollahi AH, Grami MT. The effects of low level laser in clinical outcome and neurophysiological results of carpal tunnel syndrome. A randomized control trial. Electromyography & Clinical Neurophysiology. 48(5), 2008, 229. [11]. Naeser MA, Hahn KA, Lieberman BE, Branco KF. Carpal tunnel syndrome pain treated with low-level laser and microamperes transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation: a controlled study. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 83(7), 2002, 978-88. [12]. Palmer KT. Carpal tunnel syndrome: the role of occupational factors. Best practice & research Clinical rheumatology. 25(1), 2011, 15-29. [13]. Barbosa RI, da Silva Rodrigues EK, Tamanini G, Marcolino AM, Elui VM, de Jesus Guirro RR, Mazzer N, Fonseca MD. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 13(1), 2012, 248. [14]. Evcik D, Kavuncu V, Cakir T, Subasi V, Yaman M. Laser therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Photomedicine and laser surgery. 25(1), 2007, 34-9. [15]. The world association for laser therapy [Internet]. The dosage calculation revised 2010; Available from: waltza.co.za.