Effects of Upper Extremity Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Symptom Severity, Hand Functions, Electrophysiological and Ultrasonographic Measurements in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Effects of Upper Extremity Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Symptom Severity, Hand Functions, Electrophysiological and Ultrasonographic Measurements in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This study is aimed to investigate the effects of upper extremity manual lymphatic drainage, which is applied to remove edema from the carpal tunnel region in addition to conventional exercise therapy in Carpal tunnel syndrome patients on findings of clinical, ultrasonographic, and electrophysiological.

Thirtyfour volunteer participants between aged 40 and 60 years, who met the inclusion criteria, will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups experimental and control groups. While the control group will receive only conventional exercises, the experimental group will receive both conventional exercises and upper extremity manual lymphatic drainage. A total of 3 measurements will be made before the treatment, after the treatment and 1 month after the end of the treatment. Symptom severity will be evaluated via Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire, grip strength via hand dynamometer, pressure pain threshold via digital algometer device, cross-sectional area of the median nerve via ultrasound, and median nerve conduction velocity via superficial EMG device.

Inclusion Criteria:

• People aged between 40-60 years
• Having been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) at least 6 months ago or having symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 6 months
• Having mild (median nerve sensory conduction velocity below 40 m/sec) and moderate (median nerve sensory conduction velocity below 40 m/sec and median motor distal latency 4 ms and above) CTS according to electrophysiological findings
• Not having received medical treatment and/or physiotherapy for CTS in the last 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having cervical radiculopathy
• Having thoracic outlet syndrome
• Presence of systemic disease that may lead to CTS, such as diabetes or thyroid disease
• Pregnancy
• Presence of anemia
• Having a history of CTS surgery
• Presence of radial or ulnar nerve sensory-motor lesions accompanying the present condition
• Presence of lymphedema
• Having severe (Sensory nerve action potential cannot be obtained) and severe (Sensory nerve action potential cannot be obtained, but combined muscle action potential is not present) CTS according to electrophysiological findings