Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha lipoic acid
For the health condition: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been investigated as a supportive treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The rationale for its use is based on its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, which may help reduce nerve inflammation and oxidative stress involved in CTS. Several small clinical studies and randomized controlled trials have explored the efficacy of ALA, often in combination with other supplements like gamma-linolenic acid or as an adjunct to conventional therapies such as wrist splinting or corticosteroids. Results from these studies suggest that ALA may offer mild to moderate symptomatic relief, including reduction in pain, paresthesia, and improvement in nerve conduction parameters. However, the quality of evidence is modest; studies tend to be small, sometimes open-label, and often combine ALA with other interventions, making it difficult to assess the independent effect of ALA. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses generally conclude that while there is some evidence in favor of ALA's use in mild to moderate CTS, the findings are not robust enough to recommend it as a primary therapy. More large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. In summary, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the use of alpha lipoic acid for CTS, justifying a low to moderate evidence score.

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