Treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with diabetic neuropathy using low level laser therapy versus ultrasound controlled comparative study

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare between Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Ultrasound (US) in treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) using the advantage of application of treatment directly over the transverse carpal ligament, as well as over the course of the median nerve in the forearm simultaneously. DESIGN: Fifty patients (25–55 years) with diabetic neuropathy, diagnosed as unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome participated in the study. They were equally divided and randomly assigned into two groups; each group consisted of 25 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in group (A) received a program of IR Gallium Arsenide LLLT (wavelength 904 nm, average power 20 mW, laser probe 7 mm diameter), with a total application of 4.8 J, while patients in group (B) received a program of US (frequency 1 MHz, power 1.0 W/cm(2), pulsed mode 1:5). RESULTS & DISCUSSION: The results of our study showed that there were no statistical significance differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the two groups. It was concluded that both low level laser (20 mW power, 904 nm Wavelength) and ultrasound (1.0 w/cm(2) power, 1 MHz frequency) are effective in the treatment of mild and moderate CTS patients.