Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
a
SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACTS
Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome:
clinical outcome after low-level laser acupuncture, microamps
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and other alternative
therapies--an open protocol study.
Branco K, Naeser MA.
Acupuncture
Healthcare Services, Westport, Massachusetts, USA.
OBJECTIVE: Outcome for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients (who
previously failed standard medical/surgical treatments) treated primarily
with a painless, noninvasive technique utilizing red-beam, low-level laser
acupuncture and microamps transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) on the affected hand; secondarily, with other alternative
therapies. DESIGN: Open treatment protocol, patients diagnosed with CTS by
their physicians. SETTING: Treatments performed by licensed acupuncturist
in a private practice office. SUBJECTS: Total of 36 hands (from 22 women,
9 men), ages 24-84 years, median pain duration, 24 months. Fourteen hands
failed 1-2 surgical release procedures. INTERVENTION/TREATMENT: Primary
treatment: red-beam, 670 nm, continuous wave, 5 mW, diode laser pointer
(1-7 J per point), and microamps TENS (< 900 microA) on affected hands.
Secondary treatment: infrared low-level laser (904 nm, pulsed, 10 W)
and/or needle acupuncture on deeper acupuncture points; Chinese herbal
medicine formulas and supplements, on case-by-case basis. Three treatments
per week, 4-5 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and posttreatment Melzack pain
scores; profession and employment status recorded. RESULTS: Posttreatment,
pain significantly reduced (p < .0001), and 33 of 36 hands (91.6%) no
pain, or pain reduced by more than 50%. The 14 hands that failed surgical
release, successfully treated. Patients remained employed, if not retired.
Follow-up after 1-2 years with cases less than age 60, only 2 of 23 hands
(8.3%) pain returned, but successfully re-treated within a few weeks.
CONCLUSIONS: Possible mechanisms for effectiveness include increased
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on cellular level, decreased inflammation,
temporary increase in serotonin. There are potential cost-savings with
this treatment (current estimated cost per case, $12,000; this treatment,
$1,000). Safe when applied by licensed acupuncturist trained
in laser acupuncture; supplemental home treatments may be performed by
patient under supervision of acupuncturist.
J Altern Complement Med 1999
Feb;5(1):5-26
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