Do Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Benefit From Low-Level Laser Therapy?: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Thierry P Franke; Bart W Koes; Sven J Geelen; Bionka M Huisstede

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2017.06.002

Do Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Benefit From Low-Level Laser Therapy? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Thierry P Franke
, Bart W Koes
, Sven J Geelen
, Bionka M Huisstede

Department of Epidemiology, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands; Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
Cancer Computational Biology Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW and University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 8, 2016.

STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies.

DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the methodologic quality.

DATA SYNTHESIS: A best-evidence synthesis was performed to summarize the results of the 2 systematic reviews and 17 RCTs that were included. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared with placebo treatment in the very short term (0 to ≤5wk). After 5 weeks, the positive effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, function, or recovery diminished over time (moderate and conflicting evidence were found at 7- and 12-wk follow-up, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: In the very short term, low-level laser therapy is more effective as a single intervention than placebo low-level laser therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, after which the positive effects of low-level laser therapy tend to subside. Evidence in the midterm and long term is sparse.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1650-1659.e15
Journal	Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
Volume	99
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2017.06.002
Publication status	Published - Aug 2018

Keywords

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/radiotherapy
Humans
Low-Level Light Therapy/statistics & numerical data
Physical Therapy Modalities/statistics & numerical data
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Treatment Outcome

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title = "Do Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Benefit From Low-Level Laser Therapy?: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials",

abstract = "OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 8, 2016.STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies.DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the methodologic quality.DATA SYNTHESIS: A best-evidence synthesis was performed to summarize the results of the 2 systematic reviews and 17 RCTs that were included. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared with placebo treatment in the very short term (0 to ≤5wk). After 5 weeks, the positive effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, function, or recovery diminished over time (moderate and conflicting evidence were found at 7- and 12-wk follow-up, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: In the very short term, low-level laser therapy is more effective as a single intervention than placebo low-level laser therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, after which the positive effects of low-level laser therapy tend to subside. Evidence in the midterm and long term is sparse.",

keywords = "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/radiotherapy, Humans, Low-Level Light Therapy/statistics \& numerical data, Physical Therapy Modalities/statistics \& numerical data, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Treatment Outcome",

author = "Franke, \{Thierry P\} and Koes, \{Bart W\} and Geelen, \{Sven J\} and Huisstede, \{Bionka M\}",

year = "2018",

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doi = "10.1016/j.apmr.2017.06.002",

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T2 - A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

AU - Franke, Thierry P

AU - Koes, Bart W

AU - Geelen, Sven J

AU - Huisstede, Bionka M

PY - 2018/8

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N2 - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 8, 2016.STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies.DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the methodologic quality.DATA SYNTHESIS: A best-evidence synthesis was performed to summarize the results of the 2 systematic reviews and 17 RCTs that were included. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared with placebo treatment in the very short term (0 to ≤5wk). After 5 weeks, the positive effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, function, or recovery diminished over time (moderate and conflicting evidence were found at 7- and 12-wk follow-up, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: In the very short term, low-level laser therapy is more effective as a single intervention than placebo low-level laser therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, after which the positive effects of low-level laser therapy tend to subside. Evidence in the midterm and long term is sparse.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.DATA SOURCES: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched for relevant systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) up to April 8, 2016.STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria to select potential studies.DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently extracted the data and assessed the methodologic quality.DATA SYNTHESIS: A best-evidence synthesis was performed to summarize the results of the 2 systematic reviews and 17 RCTs that were included. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared with placebo treatment in the very short term (0 to ≤5wk). After 5 weeks, the positive effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, function, or recovery diminished over time (moderate and conflicting evidence were found at 7- and 12-wk follow-up, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: In the very short term, low-level laser therapy is more effective as a single intervention than placebo low-level laser therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, after which the positive effects of low-level laser therapy tend to subside. Evidence in the midterm and long term is sparse.

KW - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/radiotherapy

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KW - Low-Level Light Therapy/statistics & numerical data

KW - Physical Therapy Modalities/statistics & numerical data

KW - Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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JF - Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation

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ER -

Do Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Benefit From Low-Level Laser Therapy? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Keywords

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