Comparing the Efficiencies of Ultrasound and Phonophoresis with Mucopolysaccharide Polysulphate Treatments in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare different conservative treatments in patients with carpaltunnel syndrome.Methods: Forty patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were included in the present quasi-experimentalstudy. Patients were randomized into phonophoresis (n=20 hands) and ultrasound (n=20 hands) groups. Phonophoresis group had phonophoresis treatment at the rate of 1.5 w/cm2 with mucopolysaccharide polysulphate (MPS) gelas conductivity agent, while ultrasound group had ultrasound treatment at the rate of 1.5 w/cm2 only. Both groupsreceived hand-wrist orthosis, tendon and nerve gliding exercises. All patients were evaluated based on physical examination findings, electroneurophysiological parameters, MR imaging, visual analoge scale, Algometer, Jamar HandDynamometer and Boston Severity Scale and Functional Status Scale at the beginning of and three months after thetreatment.Results: Based on clinical findings, significant improvements were observed in both groups for all symptoms except forhand grip strength in phonophoresis group and except for hand grip strength and motor deficit in ultrasound group.While median nerve conduction velocity increased in both groups (p=0.001 for phonophoresis group and p=0.229 forultrasound group), significant improvement in electromyography staging was observed only in phonophoresis group(p=0.037). Significant decreases in cross-sectional area in MR measurements were observed at two levels (p