Does Taping Affect the Rehabilitation of Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: Different types of splints are used for the conservative intervention to improve the function and decrease the pain intensity and paresthesia in the rehabilitation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, effectiveness of treatment by taping has never been investigated in physiotherapy and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term effect of conventional physiotherapy only, and also kinesio taping and rigid taping in addition to conventional physiotherapy in the rehabilitation of patients with moderate CTS. Materials and Methods: This study included 45 patients (mean age: 49.4 ± 12 years) with moderate CTS, confirmed by electroneurographic (ENG) examination. All patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups after sixth day of treatment: group 1: control (n = 15), group 2: RT (n = 15) treated with rigid taping by applying figure-8 technique for 8 hours per day, group 3: KT (n = 15) treated with kinesio taping by applying carpal tunnel technique including button hole and I band technique of space correction, and with 25% to 50% tension in center of tape over dorsal carpal tunnel in conjunction with conventional physiotherapy including hot pack, ultrasound therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). All patients were advised a home exercise program including tendon and nerve gliding, hand and wrist exercises for 10 times 3 sets per day. A prospective, randomized controlled trial was carried out to assess the mean score of the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS) according to Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) by a blinded assessor at baseline and the end of treatment series of 21 sessions. Pain and paresthesia were measured by 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was used for comparing values before and after treatment by Wilcoxon tests and differences between groups at the end of treatments by Mann-Whitney tests. When differences were observed, Tukey test was used to find out the group that caused the differences. Results: No difference in demographic data among groups at baseline ( P > .05). Intragroup analysis showed that pain intensity ( P < .001) and paresthesia were decreased ( P = 0.005) whereas the BCTQ ( P = 0.005) was improved at the end of evaluations compared with baseline. Intergroup analysis showed that kinesio taping and rigid taping groups had a significant and further improvement in BCTQ ( P < .001, P = .004) and paresthesia ( P < .001, P = .007). However, there was statistically significant difference in favor of kinesio taping in decreasing pain intensity ( P = .005). Conclusions: Kinesio taping was more effective than rigid taping and control group with respect to overall symptoms and functions in moderate CTS. However, pain intensity was reduced more by kinesio taping than group rigid taping and control. We concluded that kinesio taping around the wrist would be effective in improving functional level and decreasing pain intensity and paresthesia in patients with moderate CTS.