Effect of Gallium Arsenide Laser on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Post Mastectomy Lymphedema

Moussa, Amany Maher; Othman, Eman Mohamed; Al Sheikh, Abd El-fattah; Kamel, Noha M.

doi:10.21608/ejptr.2025.379126.1029

Effect of Gallium Arsenide Laser on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Post Mastectomy Lymphedema

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt.

² Department of Surgical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejptr.2025.379126.1029

Abstract

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is prevalent compressive peripheral neuropathy associated with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema (BCRL) causes pain, numbness, loss of motor function.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the impact of Gallium Arsenide laser (Ga-As) on CTS patients with post-mastectomy lymphedema.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-two female patients aged from 40 to 60 years, suffered from CTS resulting from post mastectomy lymphedema.They were randomly picked and allocated into two equal groups number. Study group were given Ga-As, medical treatment and routine physical therapy. Control group were given medical treatment with routine physical therapy program only, three sessions weekly for six weeks. All patients were given Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) for lymphedema. Limb size, Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Functional Status Scale (FSS) and grip strength were assessed prior to and post-treatment using volumetric measurement, Arabic version of Boston Capal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and hand held dynamometer.
Results: There was substantial reduction in limb size, SSS, FSS scores and significant increase in grip strength post-treatment in both groups (P<0.001). Between groups comparison showed non-substantial difference in edema size post treatment, whereas there were substantial difference in post-treatment mean values of SSS, FSS and grip strength(P<0.001) in study group compared with control group. Results also showed non-significant positive moderate correlation post treatment between the decrease in edema size, decrease in SSS and FSS scores in the study group while non-significant negative very weak correlation in control group.
Conclusion: Ga-As is effective for decreasing CTS symptoms, improving hand function and grip strength in post mastectomy lymphedema

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