Additional contribution of phonophoresis and low-level laser therapy to exercise in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic evaluation.

研究概要

Forty-five patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were randomized to receive either phonophoresis with exercise (n=15), LLLT with exercise (n=15), or exercise alone (n=15). The primary outcome of interest was the improvement in clinical parameters including the Boston Functional Status Scale (BFSS) and Boston Symptom Severity Scale (BSSS). Secondary outcomes included pain reduction at rest and during activity (measured by Visual Analog Scale [VAS]), electrophysiological findings, and ultrasonographic cross-sectional area (CSA) changes. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment. Overall, the results revealed improvements across all groups in clinical parameters, with significant reductions in BFSS and VAS scores; however, there was no additional benefit of phonophoresis or LLLT beyond exercise alone. The findings suggest that exercise therapy alone is effective in improving clinical and ultrasonographic outcomes for moderate CTS.