“Effect Of Electrotherapy Versus Nerve Gliding Exercises In The Management Of Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial”

Abstract

Background and Purpose: To the best of our knowledge, no study has compared the effectiveness of the nerve gliding exercise approach and Ultrasound therapy approach. Thus, the aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of nerve gliding technique versus Electrotherapy in the management of CTS

Materials & Methods:A randomized controlled trial in which 40 patients with unilateral CTS (suspected on clinical grounds and diagnosed based on physical examination and orthopaedic diagnostic tests) were enrolled. Patient recruitment was conducted through the non-probability purposive sampling technique. After the acquisition of written informed consents, patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups by a simple randomization method. Group 1 (20 participants) received median nerve gliding technique (tension-type)+ cold pack in the clinic with a home exercise program consisting of median nerve self-mobilization. Group 2 (20 participants) received ultrasound therapy+cold pack on the carpal tunnel with the intensity of 0.8 w/cm2 for 5 minutes during each session. A total of 12 sessions were administered over 4 weeks with 3 sessions per week. A proper consent form was signed by each patient in both groups about their confidentiality and no harm to the patient. After which the data was collected from both groups by using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) including both symptom severity scale and functional status scale and Quick disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH).

Results:According To the results of the study we can found that there was a higher effects can be seen in the subjects treatment in group B with therapeutic ultrasound as the post score for DASH are 52.30±5.895 , Symptom severity are 21.60±2.542 and Functional status are 14.20±1.240.The p value was less than 0.005 in all the post results of the both groups shows that there a effects in both the groups as subject post data was checked.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the research, we are able to draw the conclusion that both interventions had a substantial impact; however, Higher effects can be seen on the subjects treated with therapeutic ultrasound as compared with Nerve gliding Exercise. So the study shows that therapeutic ultrasound is a effective treatment for Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome