Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)LL-CTRNCT07400562
Electrophysiological Effects of Adjunct Low-Level Laser Therapy and Median Nerve Mobilization After Carpal Tunnel Release
A study testing Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device, Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization Exercises and Standard Postoperative Care in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Galala University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study investigated whether adding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or median nerve mobilization after unilateral carpal tunnel release improves median nerve electrophysiological parameters compared with no adjunctive treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 25 to 55 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- What is being tested?
- Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device, Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization Exercises and Standard Postoperative Care
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 4 Jan 2023to 18 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 25 to 55 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 25 and 55 years Clinical diagnosis of unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome Underwent surgical carpal tunnel release (transverse carpal ligament release)
Who cannot join
- Rheumatoid arthritis Diabetes mellitus History of wrist fracture or other wrist joint trauma Current use of anti-inflammatory medications or other interfering medications Receipt of alternative treatments (e.g., acupuncture, physical therapy modalities) Use of wrist orthoses
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Electrophysiological Effects of Adjunct Low-Level Laser Therapy and Median Nerve Mobilization After Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Controlled Study
This randomized controlled study investigated whether adding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or median nerve mobilization after unilateral carpal tunnel release improves median nerve electrophysiological parameters compared with no adjunctive treatment. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive LLLT, median nerve mobilization, or standard postoperative care. Interventions were delivered over six weeks, and nerve conduction studies were conducted before and after treatment to assess electrophysiological outcomes, with motor distal latency designated as the primary outcome measure.
Read the detailed description
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly managed surgically through carpal tunnel release (CTR); however, postoperative recovery may be accompanied by persistent neural dysfunction and delayed nerve conduction improvement. Adjunct rehabilitation strategies, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and median nerve mobilization, have been proposed to enhance neural recovery, yet their electrophysiological effects following CTR remain insufficiently established.
This randomized controlled study aimed to examine and compare the effects of adjunct LLLT and median nerve mobilization on median nerve electrophysiological parameters after unilateral CTR. Forty-five patients diagnosed with unilateral CTS and treated surgically with CTR were recruited. Participants (aged 25-55 years) were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group A received adjunct gallium arsenide (GaAs) infrared LLLT, Group B underwent median nerve mobilization exercises, and Group C received standard postoperative care without adjunctive therapy.
Both intervention protocols were applied three times per week for six consecutive weeks. Electrophysiological assessments were conducted at baseline (pre-intervention) and after six weeks using standardized nerve conduction studies. Measured parameters included motor distal latency (MDL), sensory distal latency (SDL), motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), and compound motor action potential amplitude (CMAP), with MDL predefined as the primary outcome measure.
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Being tested
- Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device, Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization Exercises, Standard Postoperative Care
- Keywords
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, Neuropathy, Low-level laser therapy, Median nerve mobilization
- Medical subject headings
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser DeviceOther
Group A: GaAs diode laser, 904 nm, average power 20 mW, probe diameter 7 mm (spot size approximately 0.385 cm²), administered as 1.2 J per point at four standardized points (totaling 4.8 J per session); 60 seconds per point (totaling approximately 4 minutes per session). Over 18 sessions (3 per week for 6 weeks), the total energy administered per treatment cycle is 86.4 J. This methodology and point-based dosing method were chosen to align with prevalent CTS protocols utilizing identical device specifications and total-session dosage, while adhering to the required 904-nm dosing parameters
Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization ExercisesOther
Patients in the group (B) were instructed to do a series of movements that included the median nerve: lateral rotation of the shoulders, depression, wrist extension, supination, shoulder abduction, elbow extension, and bending the neck laterally to the other side. They were directed to maintain the final posture for 20 seconds. Therapist-supervised median nerve mobilization was performed three sessions/week for 6 weeks; each session included three sets of 5 repetitions of the standardized sequence, with the end-position held for 20 seconds per repetition and ~10 seconds rest between repetitions (and ~60 seconds rest between sets). Total mobilization time was ~10-12 minutes per session, and all sessions were conducted under direct therapist supervision to ensure correct positioning and symptom monitoring
Standard Postoperative CareOther
Group C patients served as the comparison (control) group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| LLLT (GaAs 904-nm Laser) Group | Experimental | - Patients in group (A) had a regimen of infrared Gallium Arsenide low-level laser therapy (20 mW average power, 904 nm wavelength, laser probe diameter of 7 mm). The treatment was administered to the palmar region above the carpal tunnel and along the median nerve pathway, with a cumulative dosage of 4.8 J Receives: Other: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device |
| Median Nerve Mobilization Group | Experimental | Patients in the group (B) were instructed to do a series of movements that included the median nerve: lateral rotation of the shoulders, depression, wrist extension, supination, shoulder abduction, elbow extension, and bending the neck laterally to the other side. Receives: Other: Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization Exercises |
| Standard Care Control Group | Experimental | Control group Receives: Other: Standard Postoperative Care |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Median Nerve Motor Distal Latency
Change in motor distal latency (milliseconds) of the median nerve from baseline (pre-treatment) to 6 weeks post-intervention, assessed using standardized nerve conduction testing (Neuropack) following American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine guidelines.
Measured: 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Median Nerve Sensory Distal Latency
Change in sensory distal latency (milliseconds) of the median nerve from baseline to 6 weeks post-intervention.
Measured: 6 weeks
Change in Median Nerve Motor Conduction Velocity
Change in motor nerve conduction velocity (meters/second) of the median nerve from baseline to 6 weeks post-intervention.
Measured: 6 weeks
Change in Compound Motor Action Potential Amplitude
Change in CMAP amplitude (millivolts) of the median nerve from baseline to 6 weeks post-intervention.
Measured: 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Feb 2026
- Study start4 Jan 2023
- Primary completion19 Jan 2024
- Study completion18 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study was designed as a prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants who had undergone unilateral carpal tunnel release were randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms in a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Group A received adjunct low-level laser therapy, Group B received median nerve mobilization exercises, and Group C received standard postoperative care without adjunctive therapy. Randomization was performed using a concealed allocation method. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Galala University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Eman Hamed, Galala University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07400562
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Low-Level Laser Therapy -LLCTR
- Other IDs
- Galala University
- Acronym
- LL-CTR
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 10 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 10 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Electrophysiological Effects of Adjunct Low-Level Laser Therapy and Median Nerve Mobilization After Carpal Tunnel Release: A Randomized Controlled Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07400562
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LL-CTR / Low-Level Laser Therapy -LLCTR
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Keywords
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, Neuropathy, Low-level laser therapy, Median nerve mobilization
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Galala UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 19 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study investigated whether adding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or median nerve mobilization after unilateral carpal tunnel release improves median nerve electrophysiological parameters compared with no adjunctive treatment. Forty-five patients were randomly assigned to receive LLLT, median nerve mobilization, or standard postoperative care. Interventions were delivered over six weeks, and nerve conduction studies were conducted before and after treatment to assess electrophysiological outcomes, with motor distal latency designated as the primary outcome measure.
Detailed description
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is commonly managed surgically through carpal tunnel release (CTR); however, postoperative recovery may be accompanied by persistent neural dysfunction and delayed nerve conduction improvement. Adjunct rehabilitation strategies, such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and median nerve mobilization, have been proposed to enhance neural recovery, yet their electrophysiological effects following CTR remain insufficiently established.
This randomized controlled study aimed to examine and compare the effects of adjunct LLLT and median nerve mobilization on median nerve electrophysiological parameters after unilateral CTR. Forty-five patients diagnosed with unilateral CTS and treated surgically with CTR were recruited. Participants (aged 25-55 years) were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group A received adjunct gallium arsenide (GaAs) infrared LLLT, Group B underwent median nerve mobilization exercises, and Group C received standard postoperative care without adjunctive therapy.
Both intervention protocols were applied three times per week for six consecutive weeks. Electrophysiological assessments were conducted at baseline (pre-intervention) and after six weeks using standardized nerve conduction studies. Measured parameters included motor distal latency (MDL), sensory distal latency (SDL), motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), and compound motor action potential amplitude (CMAP), with MDL predefined as the primary outcome measure.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This study was designed as a prospective, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants who had undergone unilateral carpal tunnel release were randomly assigned to one of three intervention arms in a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. Group A received adjunct low-level laser therapy, Group B received median nerve mobilization exercises, and Group C received standard postoperative care without adjunctive therapy. Randomization was performed using a concealed allocation method. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of intervention.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| LLLT (GaAs 904-nm Laser) Group | Experimental | Other: Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device- Patients in group (A) had a regimen of infrared Gallium Arsenide low-level laser therapy (20 mW average power, 904 nm wavelength, laser probe diameter of 7 mm). The treatment was administered to the palmar region above the carpal tunnel and along the median nerve pathway, with a cumulative dosage of 4.8 J |
| Median Nerve Mobilization Group | Experimental | Other: Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization ExercisesPatients in the group (B) were instructed to do a series of movements that included the median nerve: lateral rotation of the shoulders, depression, wrist extension, supination, shoulder abduction, elbow extension, and bending the neck laterally to the other side. |
| Standard Care Control Group | Experimental | Other: Standard Postoperative CareControl group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 25 to 55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Age between 25 and 55 years Clinical diagnosis of unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome Underwent surgical carpal tunnel release (transverse carpal ligament release)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Rheumatoid arthritis Diabetes mellitus History of wrist fracture or other wrist joint trauma Current use of anti-inflammatory medications or other interfering medications Receipt of alternative treatments (e.g., acupuncture, physical therapy modalities) Use of wrist orthoses
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser DeviceGroup A: GaAs diode laser, 904 nm, average power 20 mW, probe diameter 7 mm (spot size approximately 0.385 cm²), administered as 1.2 J per point at four standardized points (totaling 4.8 J per session); 60 seconds per point (totaling approximately 4 minutes per session). Over 18 sessions (3 per week for 6 weeks), the total energy administered per treatment cycle is 86.4 J. This methodology and point-based dosing method were chosen to align with prevalent CTS protocols utilizing identical device specifications and total-session dosage, while adhering to the required 904-nm dosing parameters | Other | LLLT (GaAs 904-nm Laser) Group |
| Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization ExercisesPatients in the group (B) were instructed to do a series of movements that included the median nerve: lateral rotation of the shoulders, depression, wrist extension, supination, shoulder abduction, elbow extension, and bending the neck laterally to the other side. They were directed to maintain the final posture for 20 seconds. Therapist-supervised median nerve mobilization was performed three sessions/week for 6 weeks; each session included three sets of 5 repetitions of the standardized sequence, with the end-position held for 20 seconds per repetition and ~10 seconds rest between repetitions (and ~60 seconds rest between sets). Total mobilization time was ~10-12 minutes per session, and all sessions were conducted under direct therapist supervision to ensure correct positioning and symptom monitoring | Other | Median Nerve Mobilization Group |
| Standard Postoperative CareGroup C patients served as the comparison (control) group. | Other | Standard Care Control Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Median Nerve Motor Distal Latency
Time frame: 6 weeks
Change in motor distal latency (milliseconds) of the median nerve from baseline (pre-treatment) to 6 weeks post-intervention, assessed using standardized nerve conduction testing (Neuropack) following American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine guidelines.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Median Nerve Sensory Distal Latency
Time frame: 6 weeks
Change in Median Nerve Motor Conduction Velocity
Time frame: 6 weeks
Change in Compound Motor Action Potential Amplitude
Time frame: 6 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 10 Feb 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) 904-nm Low-Level Laser Device, Therapist-Supervised Median Nerve Neural Mobilization Exercises and Standard Postoperative Care in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Galala University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Median Nerve Motor Distal Latency (time frame: 6 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Feb 2026.