NCT06086210

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Low Level Laser Therapy in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Low Level Laser Therapy in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow in Terms of Symptoms, Clinical and Electrophysiological: A Randomized, Prospective, Double-blind Clinical Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (actual)
• Sponsor: Gulsah Celik · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is, to demonstrate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on symptoms, clinical and electrophysiological parameters in elbow ulnar neuropathy.

Detailed description

Ulnar neuropathy of the elbow is the second most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. The ulnar nerve is prone to entrapment due to its anatomical location in the elbow. The most important cause of entrapment occurs as a result of frequent chronic mechanical compression or stretching. Repetitive flexion-extension movement of the elbow increases the pressure in both the cubital tunnel and other potential entrapment sites, causing tension in the ulnar nerve and increased intraneural pressure. Ulnar neuropathy of the elbow, a detailed history and a comprehensive physical examination are the essential first steps in making the correct diagnosis. In case of doubt, electrophysiological studies, in particular, play an important role in diagnosis by determining both the location of nerve compression and the severity of the disease. There are conservative and surgical methods for the treatment of ulnar neuropathy in the elbow. In most patients, especially in mild and moderate entrapments, conservative treatment is preferred instead of surgery as initial treatment. Low-level laser therapy, one of the physical therapy modalities, creates photochemical reactions and biostimulation in the cells, interstitial tissue, vascular structure and immune system. Its anti-inflammatory effect is through inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme and a decrease in Prostaglandin E2 levels, and its analgesic effect is by inhibiting nociceptive pathways in peripheral nerves, thus reducing pain. It has been shown to increase nerve regeneration and nerve conduction, reduce the effects of nerve compression, and may stimulate nerve healing thanks to its biophysical effect. There is no sham-controlled study showing the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in elbow ulnar neuropathy, the second most common entrapment neuropathy. The study was planned to investigate the effectiveness of low-level laser treatment on symptoms, clinical and electrophysiological parameters in elbow ulnar neuropathy.

Conditions

• Ulnar Nerve Entrapment at Elbow

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Low-level laser therapy	Low-level laser therapy was applied to each area for 1 minute, with a wavelength of 808 nm and a dose of 2j/cm2 for a total of 5 minutes,10j/cm2 in continuous mode. A total of 15 sessions were applied 5 days a week for 3 weeks.
OTHER	Sham	Sham therapy was applied to each area for 1 minute, with a wavelength of 0 nm and a dose of 0j/cm2 for a total of 5 minutes, 0j/cm2. A total of 15 sessions were applied 5 days a week for 3 weeks.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-10-01
• Primary completion: 2023-05-01
• Completion: 2023-10-01
• First posted: 2023-10-17
• Last updated: 2023-10-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)