Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with polarized polychromatic noncoherent lig

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Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Apr;23(2):225-8.

Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome with polarized polychromatic

noncoherent light (bioptron light): a preliminary, prospective, open

clinical trial.

Stasinopoulos D, Stasinopoulos I, MI.

School of Health and Human Sciences, Leeds Metropolitan University,

Leeds, United Kingdom., Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Centre,

Athens, Greece.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the efficacy of polarized

polychromatic noncoherent light (Bioptron light) in the treatment of

idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compression

neuropathy, but no satisfactory conservative treatment is available

at present.

Method: An uncontrolled experimental study was conducted in patients

who visited our clinic from mid-2001 to mid-2002. A total of 25

patients (22 women and three men) with unilateral idiopathic carpal

tunnel syndrome, mild to moderate nocturnal pain, and paraesthesia

lasting >3 months participated in the study. The average age of the

patients was 47.4 years and the average duration of patients'

symptoms was 5.2 months. Polarized polychromatic noncoherent light

(Bioptron light) was administered perpendicular to the carpal tunnel

area. The irradiation time for each session was 6 min at an operating

distance of 5-10 cm from the carpal tunnel area, three times weekly

for 4 weeks. Outcome measures used were the participants' global

assessments of nocturnal pain and paraesthesia, respectively, at 4

weeks and 6 months.

Results: At 4 weeks, two patients (8%) had no change in nocturnal

pain, six (24%) were in slightly less nocturnal pain, 12 (48%) were

much better in regard to nocturnal pain and five (20%) were pain-

free. At 6 months, three patients (12%) were slightly better in

regard to nocturnal pain, 13 (52%) were much better regarding

nocturnal pain, and nine patients (36%) were pain-free. At 4 weeks,

four patients (16%) had no change in paraesthesia, five (20%) were

slightly better, 13 patients (52%) were much better, and three

patients (12%) were without paraesthesia. At 6 months, two patients

(8%) had no change in paraesthesia, two (8%) were slightly better, 14

(56%) were much better, and seven (28%) were without paraesthesia.

Conclusions: Nocturnal pain and paraesthesia associated with

idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome improved during polarized

polychromatic noncoherent light (Bioptron light) treatment.

Controlled clinical trials are needed to establish the absolute and

relative effectiveness of this intervention.