Laser therapy versus local steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome

INTERVENTION: laser therapy was administered by applying a Infrared laser diode in characteristics of 775 nm amplitude, 6500 Hz frequency and an intensity of 20 at five points over 11 seconds along the median nerve passage above the carpal tunnel. A total of 10 laser therapies were performed every other day for 3 week. In Steroid injection group 50mg Hydrocortisone (2 ml) was injected into the carpal tunnel only once. The wrist was positioned on a hard surface in slight dorsiflexion and the needle was advanced at 30‐degree angle to the skin, medial to the palmaris longus. CONDITION: carpal tunnel syndrome PRIMARY OUTCOME: nerve conduction study nerve conduction study was assessed by electrodiagnostic study. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Nil INCLUSION CRITERIA: mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome without previous treatment