The Acupuncture Effect on Median Nerve Morphology in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Ultrasonographic Study

Fatma Gülçin Ural,Gökhan Tuna Öztürk

doi:10.1155/2017/7420648

Abstract

Introduction The aim of this study was to explore the acupuncture effect on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the wrist in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and, additionally, to identify whether clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic changes show any association. Methods Forty-five limbs of 27 female patients were randomly divided into two groups (acupuncture and control). All patients used night wrist splint. The patients in the acupuncture group received additional acupuncture therapy. Visual analog scale (VAS), Duruöz Hand Index (DHI), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores, electrophysiologic measurements, and median nerve CSAs were noted before and after the treatment in both groups. Results VAS, DHI, Quick DASH scores, and electrophysiological measurements were improved in both groups. The median nerve CSA significantly decreased in the acupuncture group, whereas there was no change in the control group. Conclusion After acupuncture therapy, the patients with CTS might have both clinical and morphological improvement.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to explore the acupuncture effect on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the wrist in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and, to identify whether clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic changes show any association
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on median nerve CSA and to explore the correlation between clinical/electromyographic and ultrasonographic changes after acupuncture treatment in patients with CTS
The aim of this study was to explore whether acupuncture treatment had any additional effect on median nerve morphology in patients with CTS via US imaging

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to explore the acupuncture effect on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the wrist in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and, to identify whether clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic changes show any association. Visual analog scale (VAS), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores, electrophysiologic measurements, and median nerve CSAs were noted before and after the treatment in both groups. The median nerve CSA significantly decreased in the acupuncture group, whereas there was no change in the control group. The patients with CTS might have both clinical and morphological improvement. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common local entrapment neuropathy resulting from compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, splinting, corticosteroid injections, vitamin B6, physical therapy, and surgical procedures have been used for treatment [5]

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Methods

Conclusion