Riassunto dello studio

Seven randomized controlled trials including 308 patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were analyzed in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) with placebo, TENS, LLLT, and exercise. Pooled outcomes of interest included pain reduction (measured by visual analog scale [VAS]), grip strength, symptom severity, functional status, and electrophysiological parameters such as sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV). The meta-analysis revealed significant short-term pain reduction with HILT compared to placebo, TENS, LLLT, and exercise. Long-term benefits in pain improvement were also observed. However, there was insufficient evidence to conclude a consistent impact of HILT on nerve conduction parameters. The findings suggest that HILT is a promising non-invasive treatment for CTS, particularly for short-term pain relief.