Ultrasound therapy effect in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract

To investigate the overall effect of repeated ultrasound treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Patient-blinded, placebo-controlled, before-after treatment trial. University hospital PM&R department outpatient clinic and neurology department electromyography laboratory. Eighteen women with diagnosis of CTS in 30 hands. Three groups, each with 10 cases of CTS, were randomly established. Continuous ultrasound therapy, with intensities of 1.5W/cm2 (group A), 0.8W/cm2 (group B), and 0.0W/cm2 (group C), was applied to palmar carpal tunnel area for 5 minutes, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically before and after the treatment. At the end of treatment, statistically significant improvement was obtained in clinical parameters in all groups: pain (p < .05), pain/paresthesia at night/day (p < .05), and frequency of awakening at night (p < .05). Although there was no statistically significant before-after difference in electrophysiologic studies, slightly decreased motor nerve conduction velocity and increased motor distal latency were noted in groups A and B, but not in group C. Ultrasound therapy in CTS was comparable to placebo ultrasound in providing symptomatic relief, and the probability of a negative effect on motor nerve conduction needs to be considered.