OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the short-term efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), lasting for < 1 year. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with CTS were included in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and randomly divided in two treatment groups: Experimental group (EG), active laser group (40 patients); and control group (CG), placebo (sham) laser group (39 patients). A GaAlAs diode laser (780 nm, 30 mW continuous wave (CW), 0.785 cm2, 38.2 mW/cm2) was applied in contact with four points perpendicularly to the skin over the carpal tunnel area for 90 sec per point (2.7 J, 3.4 J/cm2/point). Both groups were treated five times per week, once a day over 2 weeks, followed by 10 treatments every other day for 3 weeks, that is, for a total of 20 treatments. Clinical assessment, including visual analogue scale (VAS) pain rating, Tinel's sign, and median nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were evaluated before, and 3 weeks after, the last LLLT treatment. RESULTS: Significant reduction in pain, reduction in the percentage of patients with a positive Tinel's sign, and shortening of sensory and motor latency time in the NCS examination was observed in the experimental LLLT group (but not in the control group). CONCLUSIONS: This study has observed and documented the statistically significant short-term effects of LLLT on CTS patients in comparison with a placebo group. The results support this conclusion, especially if the LLLT is applied in the earlier stages of CTS, and with mild to moderate cases.

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