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Comparison of splinting and splinting plus low-level laser therapy in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome

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Abstract

This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of splinting (S) and splinting plus low-level laser therapy (SLLLT) in mild or moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with a prospective, randomized controlled study. The patients with unilateral, mild, or moderate idiopathic CTS who experienced symptoms over 3 months were included in the study. The SLLLT group received ten sessions of laser therapy and splinting while S group was given only splints. The patients were evaluated at the baseline and after 3 months of the treatment. Follow-up parameters were nerve conduction study (NCS), Boston Questionnaire (BQ), grip strength, and clinical response criteria. Forty-five patients with CTS completed the study. Twenty-four patients were in S and 21 patients were in SLLLT group. In the third-month control, SLLLT group had significant improvements on both clinical and NCS parameters (median motor nerve distal latency, median sensory nerve conduction velocities, BQ symptom severity scale, and BQ functional capacity scale) while S group had only symptomatic healing (BQ symptom severity scale). The grip strength of splinting group was decreased significantly. According to clinical response criteria, in SLLLT group, five (23.8%) patients had full and 12 (57.1%) had partial recovery; four (19%) patients had no change or worsened. In S group, one patient (4.2%) had full and 17 (70.8%) partial recovery; six (25%) patients had no change or worsened. Additionally, applied laser therapy provided better outcomes on NCS but not in clinical parameters in patients with CTS.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ilker Yagci, Ozlem Elmas, Eylem Akcan, Isil Ustun & Osman Hakan Gunduz

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Acıbadem University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Zeynep Guven

  3. Barbaros Mh. Kentplus Sitesi C7 Blok Daire 17, Ataşehir, Kadıköy, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ilker Yagci

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  1. Ilker Yagci
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  2. Ozlem Elmas
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  6. Zeynep Guven
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Correspondence to Ilker Yagci.

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Yagci, I., Elmas, O., Akcan, E. et al. Comparison of splinting and splinting plus low-level laser therapy in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Rheumatol 28, 1059–1065 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1213-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-009-1213-0

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