Effects of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Kinesio Taping Treatments in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Treatments: Other: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT); Other: Exercise; Other: Kinesio taping (KT)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06850779

26.09.2023/4106

Details and patient eligibility

About

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common upper extremity nerve compression syndrome that causes significant economic and social burden to affected individuals. Although the severity may vary among patients, symptoms such as night pain, transient numbness, tingling, constant pain, muscle weakness, and sleep disturbance may be observed. The treatment of CTS can be grouped as nonsurgical and surgical treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of treatment with sound waves and a healing method called extracorporeal shock wave therapy and a therapeutic flexible tape called kinesiology taping on pain, grip strength, quality of life, depression symptoms, hand functions, and ultrasonographic median nerve cross-sectional area in patients with CTS.

Full description

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve entrapment syndrome, typically affecting the dominant extremity. Symptoms often become more pronounced at night, and may include numbness, tingling, electric shock sensations, pain, and other related symptoms. Diagnosis can be made based on patient history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic tests, and ultrasonography. Treatment options include splinting, exercise therapy, physical therapy modalities, various injections, and surgical methods.

In our study, we compared the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and kinesiology taping (KT) on carpal tunnel syndrome. The study involved four randomized groups: Group 1 received both ESWT and KT, Group 2 received only ESWT, Group 3 received only KT, and Group 4 received exercise therapy alone. Evaluations were conducted using the Visual Analog Scale, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions, Nottingham Health Profile, grip strength measurements, and median nerve cross-sectional area via ultrasonography. Evaluations were performed three times: before treatment, at week 3, and at week 6.

Enrollment: 76 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Mild to moderate unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by electroneuromyography (ENMG)
• Patients over 18 years of age
• Symptom duration of at least 3 months
• Those who have not received any medical treatment other than analgesics in the last 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
• Severe CTS detected by ENMG
• Operated CTS
• Corticosteroid injection within the last 3 months
• History of peripheral nerve damage
• Secondary CTS causes (thyroid dysfunction, connective tissue diseases)
• Cervical disc herniation
• DeQuervain tenosynovitis, trigger finger, Dupuytren contracture
• Inflammatory disorder
• Bleeding disorder
• Pregnancy
• Malignancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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76 participants in 4 patient groups

Group 1

Active Comparator group

Description:

Those who received both extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and kinesio taping (KB)

Treatment:

Other: Kinesio taping (KT)

Other: Exercise

Other: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Group 2

Active Comparator group

Description:

Those who received ESWT

Treatment:

Other: Exercise

Other: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

Group 3

Active Comparator group

Description:

Those who received KT

Treatment:

Other: Kinesio taping (KT)

Other: Exercise

Group 4

Other group

Description:

Those who received only exercise

Treatment:

Other: Exercise