الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist. It is one of the most common peripheral nerve disorders. Purpose of study: to investigate and compare between the efficacy of high intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus chitosan nanoparticles phonophoresis in patients with mild to moderate CTS. Design of the study: A pre-test post-test three arm randomized, controlled single blind study. Subjects and methods: Fifty-four patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were allocated randomly into three equal groups. Experimental group (A): received HILT and a traditional physical therapy. Experimental group (B): received chitosan nanoparticles phonophoresis and the traditional physical therapy. Control group (C): received the traditional physical therapy only (splinting, nerve and tendon gliding exercises). Treatment sessions were held 3 times per week, for five weeks. Measurements were performed pre and post treatment which included median nerve distal latencies by electromyography (EMG), pain assessment by numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and hand grip strength by handheld dynamometer. Results: There was a significant decrease in median nerve motor and sensory distal latencies, NPRS and a significant increase in hand grip strength post-treatment in the three groups (p < 0.05). Between groups analysis showed that there were no significant differences between group A and B regarding all outcome measures |