Comparison of ultrasound and ketoprofen phonophoresis in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

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51 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to evaluate the efficacy of splinting with ultrasound (US) and ketoprofen phonophoresis. Patients were allocated to 1 of 3 groups: sham US, active US without medication, or phonophoresis with US and ketoprofen. US therapies were performed for 2 weeks, and splinting last for 8 weeks. Patients were assessed for pain, function, symptom severity, and nerve conduction (motor and sensory distal latency) at 2 weeks (ie. after US therapies) and again at 8 weeks. The results of this study demonstrated that phonophoresis with US and ketoprofen provided improved pain scores at 8 weeks and comparable results in all other outcome parameters. Further studies focused on a larger sample and a longer follow-up terms are required to support this evidence.