Different parameters have been used in studies investigating the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been shown to have a positive effect on carpal tunnel syndrome, there is no consensus on which pulse rate is more effective. Therefore, in this study, the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy applied at different pulse rates in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome will be examined.
The study included 72 patients with CTS aged 18-65 years who applied to Kırşehir Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy. In CTS, the median nerve is compressed within the carpal canal, about 1 to 2 cm beyond the distal wrist crease. It is more common in women and is typically more severe in the dominant hand but is often bilateral. Repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as using a keyboard or vibrating tools, have been associated with CTS. Medical conditions associated with CTS include diabetes, hypothyroidism and RA, as well as obesity and pregnancy. Rarely, CTS may be caused by a mass lesion in the wrist, such as a ganglion cyst or neurofibroma, or may be associated with acute trauma to the wrist. The vast majority of CTS cases are idiopathic. CTS treatment is divided into conservative and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment methods are recommended in mild and moderate CTS patients, while surgical treatment is recommended in severe cases. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy is one of the physical therapy applications used in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel. The effectiveness of ESWT in the treatment of CTS will be examined
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
98
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive procedure that uses single-pulse acoustic waves generated outside the body and focused on a specific area of the body. Shock waves promote axonal regeneration of peripheral nerves through various molecular reactions. Although the anti-nociceptive mechanisms of ESWT have not yet been elucidated, ESWT may produce analgesia through biochemical changes in the nerve fiber itself and reduce inflammation of soft tissues.
Kirsehir Ahi Evran University
Kırşehir, Kırşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual analogue scale (VAS)
A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a measurement instrument that tries to measure a characteristic or attitude that is believed to range across a continuum of values and cannot easily be directly measured. It is often used in epidemiologic and clinical research to measure the intensity or frequency of various symptoms. When responding to a VAS item, respondents specify their level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points.Pain intensity was measured with visual analogue scale for pain (0-10 mm; 0 means no pain, 10 means severe pain) which is used to measure musculoskeletal pain with very good reliability and validity
Time frame: 0. week , 4. week , 12. week
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire
It assesses the severity of symptoms and functional status. The symptom severity scale (SSS) assesses symptoms according to severity, frequency, time and type. The scale consists of 11 questions with multiple-choice answers scored from 1 point (mildest) to 5 points (most severe). The overall symptom severity score is calculated as the average of the scores for the 11 individual items. Functional status scale (FSS) assesses the impact of CTS on daily life. The scale consists of eight multiple-choice questions scored from 1 point (no difficulty in the activity) to 5 points (unable to do the activity at all). The total score for functional status was calculated as the average of all eight. Therefore, a higher symptom severity or functional status score indicates worse symptoms or impaired function.
Time frame: 0. week, 4. week , 12. week
Hand grip strength measurement
Jamar hand dynamometer, which has high reliability and validity in many studies, will be used to measure hand grip strength. Hand grip strength will be measured in the recommended sitting position with the shoulder in adduction and neutral rotation, elbow in 90 degree flexion, forearm in midrotation and supported, and wrist in neutral. According to the test procedure, three consecutive measurements will be made for hand grip strength and the averages will be recorded in kg.
Time frame: 0. week, 4. week, 12. week
Electromyoneurography (EMNG)
Median sensory nerve action potential amplitude, Compound muscle action potential amplitude, Median sensory distal latency, Median motor distal latency, Median sensory nerve conduction velocity, was evaluated by EMG.
Time frame: 0. week, 12. week
Ultrasonography
The cross-sectional area of the median nerve will be calculated by hand drawing with the existing program of the ultrasonography device. (The cross-sectional area, mm² ) The ratio of the length of the transverse diameter of the median nerve to the length of the longitudinal diameter will be used to obtain the flattening ratio (flattening ratio=FR, FR=the transverse diameter / the longitudinal diameter).
Time frame: 0. week, 12. week
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