The Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Ultrasound Treatment Combined with High Intensity Laser Treatment on Pain, Grip Strength, and Hand Function in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Objective: To investigate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and ultrasound (US) treatment on pain, grip strength, and hand function in patients undergoing carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty patients who underwent carpal tunnel syndrome surgery were randomly assigned to receive TENS combined with HILT (TESN＋HILT group), US combined with HILT (US＋HILT group), or HILT alone (control group). The treatments were applied around the surgical site, and pre- and post-treatment changes were evaluated. Pain was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), hand symptoms were assessed using the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome-6 (CTS-6) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS), grip strength was assessed using an electronic dynamometer, and hand function was assessed using the BCTQ-FSS. Treatments were administered seven times over 2 weeks. Results: Following treatment, pain and symptoms significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and grip strength and hand function significantly increased (p < 0.05) in all subjects. Additionally, pain was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and grip strength was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the TESN＋HILT group and US＋HILT groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, hand symptoms were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and hand function was significantly increased (p< 0.05) in the TENS＋HILT group compared to the control group. Conclusions: TENS combined with HILT wasmore effective than US combined with HILT in reducing pain and symptoms and improving grip strength and hand function in patients after carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. These findings suggest that these treatment modalities can be used in clinical practice.