Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39776290›Full record

SynthesisLasers in medical science2025

Photobiomodulation in carpal tunnel syndrome with pain, strength, and functionality analysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ana Cristhini Lauxen, Debora Regina Machado, Debora Stefhani Pereira, Larissa Beatriz de Medeiros, Dernival Bertoncello, Márcia Rosângela Buzanello, Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Lasers in medical science, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ana Cristhini LauxenUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Debora Regina MachadoUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Debora Stefhani PereiraUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Larissa Beatriz de MedeirosUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Dernival BertoncelloUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Márcia Rosângela BuzanelloUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil.
Gladson Ricardo Flor BertoliniUniversidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná - Unioeste, Campus Cascavel, Universitaria St. 2069, CascavelParaná, 85819-110, Brazil. gladsonricardo@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0565-2019

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is characterized as a compressive neuropathy of the median nerve and has several treatments, including photobiomodulation, which can be performed with low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). PURPOSE: To carry out a literature review on the effectiveness of low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) in CTS.

methodsThis study is characterized by being a systematic review with metaanalysis. The databases included were PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scopus and LILACS. Also, gray literature: Google Scholar, OpenGrey and CAPES Theses and Dissertations Catalog. The search was carried out in all databases on October 11, 2023 and updated on June 06, 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool, RoB 2, by two blinded reviewers and conflicts were resolved by consensus. The outcomes of interest were pain intensity (Visual analogue scale), strength (handgrip and pinch) and hand functionality (Boston questionnaire, Levine questionnaire, Purdue Pergboard Test). Statistical analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4.1. Continuous results were expressed as standard mean differences (95% CI), with p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The value of the I2 statistical test was calculated to test for heterogeneity between studies. A random effects model was adopted.

results13 randomized controlled trials were selected from 1.613 records. In the general bias analysis, two studies (15,4%) were considered to have some relevant problems that could interfere with the quality of the study, and three (23,1%) were identified as having a high risk of bias, eight studies (61,5%) were classified as having a low risk of bias. In the meta-analysis, it was possible to observe that there were no advantages of the laser for pain (p = 0.08), nor for handgrip strength (p = 0.11), but it did produce improvements in functionality.

conclusionIt is concluded that LLLT is an effective therapeutic modality in the treatment of CTS, improving functionality; however, despite the studies pointing to advantages for the modality in reducing pain and improving grip strength, the meta-analysis did not show this result. Even so, there is a need for more clinical trials are needed to standardize dosimetry, mainly because the primary studies showed clinical advantages of PBM. REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (OSF)- https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HQCRP .

Indexed as

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeLow-Level Light TherapyHand StrengthHumansPain MeasurementTreatment OutcomeCarpal tunnel syndromeLow-intensity laser therapyPain measurementPeripheral nerve injuriesSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID39776290

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.