Acupuncture Versus Laser Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Last updated: November 29, 2021
Sponsor: Kuang Tien General Hospital
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04828239
KTGH10946
  • Ages 20-65
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) results from the entrapment neuropathy of median nerve at the wrist, and most cases are idiopathic. So far, there are many treatments were developed (Surgical decompression, local injection of steroids, Wrist splints) but they are not fully satisfactory, other treatment modalities need to be further evaluated.

Both Acupuncture and laser acupuncture treatments for CTS have been reported. However, those studies still lack associated evidence to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and laser acupuncture.

The object of the study is to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture compared with laser acupuncture in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and global symptom score (GSS) assessment will apply to measure objective changes in this randomized, controlled study.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria: CTS diagnosis was based on the presence of at least one of the following symptoms

  1. numbness, tingling pain, or paresthesia in the median nerve distribution
  2. precipitation of these symptoms by repetitive hand activities, which could be relievedby resting, rubbing, and shaking the hand
  3. nocturnal awakening by such sensory symptoms.
  4. The diagnosis was often supported by a positive Tinel sign Confirmed by the presenceof one or more of the following standard electrophysiologic criteria

(1) prolonged distal motor latency (DML) to the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) (abnormalZ4.7 ms, stimulation over the wrist, 8 cm proximal to the active electrode) (2) prolongedantidromic distal sensory latency (DSL) to the second digit (abnormal Z3.1 ms;stimulationover the wrist, 14 cm proximal to the active electrode) (3) prolonged antidromic wrist-palmsensory nerve conduction velocity (W-P SNCV) at a distance of 8 cm (W-P SNCV, abnormal <45m/s).9-

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Symptoms occurring less than 3 months before the study (to exclude patients who mighthave spontaneous resolution of symptoms)
  2. severe CTS that had progressed to visible muscle atrophy
  3. clinical or electrophysiologic evidence of accompanying conditions that could mimicCTS or interfere with its evaluation, such as cervical radiculopathy, proximal medianneuropathy, or significant polyneuropathy
  4. evidence of obvious underlying etiologic factors of CTS such as diabetes mellitus,rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism (acromegaly), pregnancy, alcohol abuse or drugusage (steroids or drugs acting through the central nervous system), and suspectedmalignancy or inflammation or autoimmune disease documented as underlying causes ofCTS
  5. cognitive impairment interfering with the subject's ability to follow instructions anddescribe symptoms

Study Design

Total Participants: 150
Study Start date:
March 10, 2021
Estimated Completion Date:
June 20, 2022

Study Description

Both manual acupuncture and laser acupuncture treatments for CTS have been reported.

Laser acupuncture (LA) is defined as the stimulation of traditional acupuncture points by using low-level intensity. Its a noninvasive treatment than acupuncture for those patients had the potential risk for infection or people involving pain or fear of needles. So far, previous studies still lack associated evidence about comparisons between laser acupuncture and manual acupuncture to evaluate their efficacy. So the investigators would like to compare the efficacy of acupuncture treatment with laser acupuncture (LA) treatment in patients with idiopathic, mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)

Connect with a study center

  • Kuang Tien Genreal Hospital

    Taichung, 402
    Taiwan

    Active - Recruiting

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