INTRODUCTION:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common neuropathies in adults and impacts on functionality and quality of life. The usual conservative treatment has a low level of evidence. Given its antioxidant effects, alpha-lipoic acid has been used to relieve symptoms and deficits of different neuropathies. In this way alpha-lipoic acid emerges as a potential symptomatic treatment in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid in symptomatic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in adults. METHODOLOGY: Search for meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and clinical guidelines, using the MeSH terms “pain”, “paresthesia”, “hypoesthesia”, “carpal tunnel syndrome” and “alpha-lipoic acid”. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy scale was applied to classify articles into Levels of Evidence and Strengths of Recommendation.

RESULTS:

212 articles were obtained, of which 3 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, totaling 218 studied individuals. The 3 randomized controlled trials report some symptomatic improvement with administration of alpha-lipoic acid compared to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

There seems to be some benefit from the administration of alpha-lipoic acid in the symptomatic treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. More randomized controlled trials are needed with more homogeneous methodologies, a greater number of participants and a longer follow-up.

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