Effect of vacuum-compression therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome as a part of physiotherapy - pilot study

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this pilot study was to assess effect of combined kinesiotherapy and vacuum-compression therapy in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Ten patients (six women and four men, average age 55 ± 12.7 years) with a total of 18 hands, indicated for the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome underwent six individual kinesiotherapy sessions and ten applications of vacuum-compression therapy. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by electromyography and a visual analogue scale. Results: After the therapy, electromyography did not show a statistically significant difference in distal motor latency, sensory nerve action potential, and sensory conduction velocity of the nervus medianus. However, the visual analogue scale decreased significantly (P = 0.001). A statistically significant relationship was found after the therapy between the visual analogue scale score and the distal motor latency (r = 0.646, P = 0.005). Conclusions: After the therapy consisting of kinesiotherapy and vacuum-compression therapy, the typical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome decreased. We found great inter-individual differences in measurable parameters of the manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome. Additionally, none of the patients opted for surgical treatment even one year after finishing the therapy.