Dry needling is used for myofascial release. However, its effectiveness in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well known. It is thought that dry needling may also be an effective treatment for CTS by providing relaxation in the fascial tissue. Therefore, this study will examine the effects of dry needling treatment on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception and disability in patients with CTS.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the society, which develops due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. With the compression of the median nerve, a pain, numbness and tingling sensation spreading to the hand and wrist affects daily living activities and reduces the quality of life. Thickening and myofascial restriction in the carpal tunnel area also contribute to this situation. For this reason, various treatment methods have been developed for CTS, ranging from conservative treatment to surgery. Dry needling is also an alternative treatment method that can be used for CTS. Dry needling allows the fascial tissue to loosen and re-enter the healing process, leading to a decrease in pain and an increase in quality of life. However, its effectiveness in patients with CTS is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with CTS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
78
In addition to stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon gliding exercises, a total of 5 sessions of dry needling will be performed for fascial mobilization, 2 days a week for 3 weeks.
The physiotherapist will teach stretching, neuromobilization and tendon shifting exercises and will be asked to do them regularly for 3 weeks.
Pursaklar State Hospital
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
Pain severity
It will be evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 10 at 10 mm intervals. 0 indicates absence of pain and the highest value of 10 indicates extreme pain.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Wrist range of motion
Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation and radial deviation joint range degrees will be measured using a universal goniometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Position sense
In the evaluation of joint position sense (proprioception), wrist extension, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion movements will be evaluated with an inclinometer. An increase in deviation from the target angle indicates a worsening of position sense.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Severity of symptoms
The patients' CTS-related symptom severity and functional status will be evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. The severity of the patient's strain is scored between 1-5. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Hands activity level
Duruöz hand index will be used to evaluate hand-related activity limitations. The survey yields a total score of 0-90, with a higher score indicating greater activity restriction.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Nerve cross-sectional area
With ultrasonography, the doctor will measure the median nerve cross-sectional area of the individual and the distance between the median nerve flexor retinaculum.
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
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