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

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.

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.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Interferential laser therapy, Low-level laser therapy, Neuropathic pain, Median nerve compression

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.

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.