The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of combining a wrist orthosis with
either ultrasound therapy or paraffin bath therapy in treating carpal tunnel syndrome
patients.

Comparative Effectiveness of Ultrasound and Paraffin Therapy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Trial

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The purpose of this exploratory study is to compare the combination of a wrist orthosis
with either ultrasound therapy or paraffin bath therapy in the treatment of carpal tunnel
syndrome patients. We hypothesized that ultrasound therapy might be more effective than
paraffin therapy because it provides both thermal and nonthermal effects.

ultrasound

paraffin therapy

All of the answers were scored from 1 to 5 according to the patient's clinical condition,
such that 1 indicated no symptoms, and 5 indicated the most severe symptoms.

The pain VAS is a continuous scale comprised 10 centimeters (100 mm) in length. 0
indicate no pain, 100 indicate maximum pain.

The Semmes-Weinstein monofilament sensory test was measured by applying force-calibrated
nylon filament to the fingertips with the wrist in a neutral supine position A weighted
score from 1 to 5 was acquired according to each filament's calculated force . We
recorded the scores from seven sample areas in each hand and summed the scores to analyze
as a continuous variable.Higher score indicate decreased finger tip sensation with
increased disesase severity.Total score range:7 -35.

Palmar pinch strength was measured by pressing the thumb and the index finger tip against
a standard dynamometer. This procedure was repeated 3 times measuring in kilograms, and a
mean score was obtained. Higher score indicate better pinching strength, which indicate
less disease severity. Score range: minimum :0 kilogram

A standard distance (14 centimeter) was maintained between the stimulator and recording
electrodes for the sensory nerve conduction studies. Increased distal latency indicate
delay of nerve conduction, which imply poor disease progress.

Median motor nerve conduction and distal motor latency were measured by placing a
stimulating electrode at the wrist and a recording electrode on the abductor pollicis
brevis muscle 8 centimeter from the stimulus electrode. Increased distal latency indicate
delay of nerve conduction, which imply poor disease progress.

Patients in the ultrasound therapy group were treated with US therapy for 5 minutes each
session, twice per week for 8 weeks.

Patients in the paraffin therapy group were treated with the dip-and-wrap method of
paraffin bath therapy in the hospital twice per week for 8 weeks. The temperature of the
paraffin bath was maintained at approximately 55°C

Comparative Effectiveness of Ultrasound and Paraffin Therapy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Trial

About this trial

Study ID

Status

Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Not accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?