Effectiveness of low-level laser and polarized light therapies in treating carpal tunnel syndrome in women with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome remains one of the most common issues of concern among diabetic women. Objective: This trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of low-level laser and polarized light therapies in treating carpal tunnel syndrome in women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: sixty-six women were randomized into three groups (n = 22 each): wrist splinting alone (control), splinting plus low-level laser, and splinting plus polarized light over 10 weeks. Baseline and post-treatment assessments included median nerve motor and sensory distal latencies, cross-sectional area, Arabic Numerical Pain Rating Scale, hand grip strength, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (symptom and functional severity scales). Results: Low-level laser therapy led to significantly greater improvements than polarized light in median motor latency (mean difference (MD) = −0.27 ms; 95% CI = −0.81 to −0.03; p = 0.04), sensory latency (MD = −0.24 ms; 95% CI = −0.47 to −0.01; p = 0.02), pain (MD = −0.88; 95% CI = −2.04 to −0.2; p = 0.03), hand grip strength (MD = 3.4 kg; 95% CI = 0.51 to 6.82; p = 0.01), symptom severity (MD = −4.71; 95% CI = −9.39 to −0.03; p = 0.009), and functional severity (MD = −1.92; 95% CI = −4.15 to −0.13; p = 0.02). Cross-sectional area reductions were similar in both study groups (MD = −0.33 mm; 95% CI = −1.73 to 1.07; p = 0.94). Conclusions: Low-level laser is more effective than polarized light for treating carpal tunnel syndrome in women with type 2 diabetes.