Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The laser acupuncture is a new and potential intervention for the disease of peripheral nerve. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of laser acupucnture therapy on carpal tunnel syndrome.

Laser acupuncture is combined low level laser with acupuncture points. Investigators perform a prospective randomized, single-blinded study to investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients were randomized into intervention and control group. Participants in intervention group received six-sessions of laser acupuncture and six-sessions of sham laser acupuncture was given in control group. All participants used wrist splint at night. The evaluation was performed pretreatment as well as on the 2th, 4th, 8th and 12th week after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 20-80 year-old.
• Typical symptoms and signs of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, such as positive Tinel's sign numbness/tingling in at least 5th digits, and in whom the diagnosis was confirmed using an electrophysiological study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cancer
• Coagulopathy
• Pregnancy
• Inflammation status
• Patients who had conditions mimicking carpal tunnel syndrome, such as cervical radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, brachial plexopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome or who had previously undergone wrist surgery or steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome.
• There are tattoos, birthmarks and skin disorders over acupuncture points.