The effects of acupressure on the symptoms severity and function status and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of acupressure on the symptoms severity, function status and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). DESIGN: This double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 57 patients with CTS that selected through convenience sampling. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups, including (1) acupressure; (2) placebo acupressure; and (3) control. SETTING: The study was conducted in the medical centers affiliated to Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. INTERVENTION The intervention groups received acupressure or placebo for one month. The control group received only routine cares (splints and analgesics) with no additional intervention. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: The severity of symptoms and hand function were evaluated by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, and electrodiagnostic findings, including Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV), Distal Sensory Latency (DSL), and Distal Motor Latency (DML) were measured by Electromyography device before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed significant differences in the mean severity of symptoms, hand function, NCV, DSL, and DML before and after the intervention in the acupressure group (P < 0.05). Significant differences were also observed between the means difference in severity of symptoms, hand function, and NCV, DSL, and DML before and after the intervention in the three groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results, acupressure was effective in reducing the severity of clinical symptoms, improving the hand function, and improving the electrodiagnostic findings. Therefore, the application of acupressure can be recommended for improving clinical symptoms of patients with CTS.