NCT06850779

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

Effects of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave and Kinesio Taping Treatments on Quality of Life, Hand Function and Median Nerve Cross-Sectional Area Measured by Ultrasonography in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 76 (actual)
• Sponsor: Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)	Radial ESWT (Vibrolith OrthoⓇ) was applied to the wrist as 1000 pulses with a frequency of 5 Hz and a power of 1.5 bar. The treatment was applied once a week for a total of 3 sessions.
OTHER	Kinesio taping (KT)	KT was prepared as 2 pieces of 2.5 cm I band and 1 piece of 5 cm I band. It was applied with a maximum of 50% tension (without tension on the ends) while the wrist was in 30 degrees of extension, forearm supination and elbow extension. The treatment was applied once a week for a total of 3 sessions.
OTHER	Exercise	Median nerve gliding exercises were given to the 4th group during the follow-up period. The same exercises were given to the other groups.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-10-01
• Primary completion: 2024-03-30
• Completion: 2024-03-30
• First posted: 2025-02-27
• Last updated: 2025-02-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)