Effect of High-intensity Laser Therapy on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Mohamed M ElMeligie; Mahmoud M Ismail; Yasmine S Gomaa; Amr M Yehia; Hend R Sakr; Omnia M ElGendy

doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002427

Effect of High-intensity Laser Therapy on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Jan 8. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002427. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mohamed M ElMeligie¹, Mahmoud M Ismail², Yasmine S Gomaa³, Amr M Yehia⁴, Hend R Sakr⁵, Omnia M ElGendy⁶

Affiliations

¹ PhD, Lecturer of Physical Therapy, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Ahram Canadian University, Egypt.
² PhD, Lecturer of Biophysics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
³ PhD, Lecturer of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy for Neuromuscular Disorders and Its Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafr Elsheikh University, Kafr Elsheikh, Egypt.
⁴ PhD, Lecturer of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders and Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, 6th October University, Giza, Egypt.
⁵ PhD, Lecturer of Physical Therapy, Department of Women's health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Badr University, Egypt.
⁶ PhD, Lecturer of Physical Therapy, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts University, Giza, Egypt.

PMID: 38207201
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002427

Abstract

Objective: To provide a strong foundation for the use of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS,) we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the outcomes of short- and long-term follow-up studies.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results: Sample sizes of included studies ranged from 16 to 98 patients (total N = 308). Overall, a significant difference between the treatment and control groups were found across majority of the measures. Studies using a four-week follow-up period, however, only found significantly greater benefits for HILT in visual analogue scale (VAS) compared to placebo (p = 0.0191), Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (p = 0.0026), and low-intensity laser therapy-20 J/cm2 (p < 0.0002), and exercise (p < 0.0001). For improvement in VAS score over a long treatment period, HILT was also preferred over control group (p < 0.0071). Insufficient evidence exists to determine effect of HILT on nerve conduction examinations. The only statistically significant differences observed in examinations were in relation to sensory nerve action potential (p = 0.0083) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) (p = 0.0468).

Conclusion: Moderate evidence exists regarding efficacy of HILT compared to placebo, HILT + wrist splint, and exercise in a short period of follow-up time but evidence on long-term follow-up is limited.