High-Power Laser Therapy Added to Standard Care for Meralgia Paresthetica A Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Trial in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Meralgia Paresthetica MP is a nerve condition causing burning pain, tingling, and numbness on the outer thigh due to pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Common causes include obesity, pregnancy, tight clothing, weight changes, and trauma. Many patients have persistent symptoms that do not improve with standard treatments like lifestyle changes, medications, or physical therapy, and surgery carries risks. This trial aims to study the effects of High-Power Laser Therapy HPLT as an added treatment for chronic MP to see if it improves pain and function better than a sham laser procedure. Participants will receive either active HPLT or a sham laser, both delivered using a slow scanning technique over the nerve area near the hip and thigh. The active laser uses 10 Watts of continuous power with an energy dose around 800 Joules per session, while the sham device looks and sounds like it is working but emits no real energy. All participants also receive standard conservative care, which includes education on avoiding tight clothing, weight loss advice, posture changes, and home stretching exercises targeting hip muscles. During the study, participants will be monitored at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months to measure changes in pain intensity using the PainDETECT tool. Researchers will assess sensory symptoms and functional capacity alongside pain. The study is randomized and assessor-blinded to compare the real laser therapy against the sham. Participation involves attending scheduled visits for treatment and assessments over several months, with safety and outcomes carefully tracked throughout.

The Efficacy of High-Power Laser Therapy in Meralgia Paresthetica