Affiliations: [a] Rehabilitation and Performance Program, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | [b] Federal University of Santa Catarina, Araranguá, Brazil | [c] Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Locomotor Apparatus, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil | [d] School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Rafael Inácio Barbosa, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Governador Jorge Lacerda Road, 3201, Araranguá-SC 88900-000, Brazil. Tel.: +55 48 96887711; E-mail:rafael.barbosa@ufsc.br
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Compare the efficacy of orthoses and patient education with and
without the addition to Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT - 660 nm, 30 mW, a
continuous regime and bean area of 0.06 cm2). The laser irradiation was
delivered with the fluency of 10J/cm2 in patients with mild and
moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). METHODS: 48 patients were randomized
and 30 finished the protocol (a sample loss of 37.5%), 90% female and
10% males. Randomization was applied to allocate the patients in each one
of the groups, with association or not to LLLT (group orthoses or LLLT and
orthoses). All of them were submitted to ergonomic home orientations. The
short-term symptoms and function outcome were assessed through: Boston
Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) - Severity of Symptoms (SS) Functional
Score (FS). Pain (VAS), Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, 2PD and pinch
strength was used for characterization of the sample. Most of the
participants were women, over 4th decade enrolled on heavy hand duties
occupations, right-handed, 66.7% affected on dominant hand, without
alterations in sensory median nerve thresholds or pinch strength. RESULTS:
Both groups showed a reduction of total BCTQ score and its subdomains after
six weeks, with significant difference (p< 0.05), comparing to baseline. No
significant difference was found between groups. A Minimal clinical change
was observed after the intervention in 92.3% of participants for BCTQ
subdomain severity of symptoms at individual comparison for LLLT and
orthoses group and 76.5% for the orthoses group, demonstrating clinical
relevance. Effect size Cohen's index was moderate for the severity of
symptoms. CONCLUSION: LLLT in association to orthoses and ergonomic
orientation seems to be effective in short-term symptoms relieve for
patients with mild and moderate CTS.
