The Dose Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Mild to Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The shock wave is a new and potential intervention for the reinnervation of peripheral nerve. The purpose of this study was to assess the dose effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on carpal tunnel syndrome.

The investigator perform a prospective randomized, single-blinded study to investigate the dose effect of ESWT in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The evaluation was performed pretreatment as well as on the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 24 week after the treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 20-80 year-old.
2. Typical symptoms and signs of CTS, such as positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test, numbness/tingling in at least two of the first, second, or third digits, and in whom the diagnosis was confirmed using an electrophysiological study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Cancer
2. Coagulopathy
3. Pregnancy
4. Inflammation status
5. Patients who had conditions mimicking CTS, such as cervical radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, brachial plexopathy, thoracic outlet syndrome or who had previously undergone wrist surgery or steroid injection for CTS.