• Ahmet Kivanc Menekseoglu, Merve Damla Korkmaz, and Hatice Segmen.
• Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi, İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Istanbul, Turkey.
• Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2023 Jan 1; 69 (1): 124130124-130.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on pain, functionality, and electrophysiological measurements in carpal tunnel syndrome.MethodsBetween June 2021 and January 2022, a total of 66 wrists in 45 participants with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were included in this double-blind, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups, namely, the radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (group 1, n=33) and the sham radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (group 2, n=33). Night splints and tendon nerve gliding exercises were given to all participants. The participants were evaluated at baseline and the first month after treatment. Participants were evaluated using a visual analog scale, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, Leeds Neuropathic Symptom and Symptom Assessment, and electrophysiological examinations.ResultsA total of 37 participants (a total of 55 wrists, radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy n=27, and sham radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy n=28) completed the study. After the intervention, there was a significant decrease in visual analog scale values (p<0.001) and a significant increase in Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire scores (p<0.001) and Leeds Neuropathic Symptom and Symptom Assessment scores (p<0.001). In electrophysiological measurements, there was a significant decrease in median nerve sensory (p=0.002) and motor (p=0.003) distal latency, and a significant increase in median nerve sensory conduction velocity (p=0.026) was found in the radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy group.ConclusionThis study shows that radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy has positive effects on pain, functionality, and electrophysiological measurements for mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome 1 month after application.

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