The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of paraffin therapy, a physical therapy modality, and ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, the most common entrapment neuropathy. By doing so, the study will evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these two alternative, low-side-effect treatments for managing this frequently encountered condition.
A total of 46 patients, aged 18-65, diagnosed with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on electrophysiological studies, will be included in the study.Pain levels will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional impairment will be measured with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). Electrophysiological evaluations will be performed by a neurology specialist at the 1st and 3rd month follow-ups outside of working hours and without being billed to the Social Security Institution (SGK). VAS, BCTQ scores, and electrophysiological parameters will be evaluated at baseline, and at the 4th and 12th-week follow-ups post-treatment. Electrophysiological measurements will include median nerve distal motor latency (MMNDL), median nerve distal sensory latency (MNSDL), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), compound muscle action potential (CMAP), and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitudes.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
46
No intervention
Beylikdüzü State Hospital
Istanbul, Beylikdüzü, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGVisual Analog Scale (VAS):
The VAS will be used to measure pain intensity. Patients will mark their pain level on a 10 cm scale, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents the "worst imaginable pain." This will be evaluated at baseline, and at the 4th and 12th weeks post-treatment.
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTQ-SSS)
The SSS assesses the severity of carpal tunnel symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness. The total score for this scale ranges from a minimum of 11 to a maximum of 55. A lower score indicates mild or no symptoms, while a higher score suggests more severe symptoms. As the score increases, the severity of symptoms worsens, with a score closer to 55 reflecting a significantly greater impact on daily life.
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire Functional Status Scale (BCTQ-FSS)
The SSS assesses the severity of carpal tunnel symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness. The total score for this scale ranges from a minimum of 11 to a maximum of 55. A lower score indicates mild or no symptoms, while a higher score suggests more severe symptoms. As the score increases, the severity of symptoms worsens, with a score closer to 55 reflecting a significantly greater impact on daily life.
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Median nerve distal motor latency
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Median nerve distal sensory latency
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
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Sensory nerve conduction velocity
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Motor nerve conduction velocity
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Sensory nerve action potential amplitude
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week
Motor nerve action potential amplitude
It is a finding from electrophysiological evaluation
Time frame: 0 day, 4th week and 12th week