Insights & Discussion
Acupuncture therapy can lead to both clinical and morphological improvements in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
In this study, 27 female patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome were divided into two groups: one that used only a night wrist splint and another that received additional acupuncture therapy. The measurements were taken from 45 limbs and included a visual analogue scale, the Duruöz Hand Index, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire scores. In addition, electrophysiological measurements and observation of the median nerve's cross-sectional area were taken before and after the treatment.
Following the treatment, improvements were observed in both groups according to the visual analogue scale, the Duruöz Hand Index and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire scores, and the electrophysiological measurements. However, a significant decrease was noted solely in the cross-sectional area of the median nerve in the acupuncture group, while the control group that only used the wrist splint showed no changes. Thus, it was concluded that acupuncture therapy provided both clinical and morphological benefits to patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Acupuncture's effectiveness for carpal tunnel syndrome uncovers better pain relief compared to night splints and potential benefits when used alongside other treatments
2023 Frontiers in Neuroscience Acupuncture for carpal tunnel syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Dong Q, Li X, Yuan P, Chen G, Li J, Deng J, et al.
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Acupuncture was found to be more effective than night splints for pain relief, but no differences were observed in symptom severity and functional status. When used alongside other treatments, acupuncture showed potential in improving various CTS factors. However, the evidence quality was generally low or very low.
Electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome was reported to be effective and showed a significant difference from the control group.
2022 Journal of Acupuncture Research Electroacupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials Park CW, Lim MJ, Lee SW, Yi YH, Song DW, Yu SG, et al.
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Although electroacupuncture treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome was reported to be effective and showed a significant difference from the control group, in some evaluation items no significant differences were observed. The quality and the number of studies included in this review was limiting, therefore an accurate evaluation of the efficacy of electroacupuncture treatment for CTS was not possible.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture are a therapeutic option for mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome with a medium level of scientific evidence, tending towards a high level, and with a medium level of recommendation.
2020 Neuropediatrics Acupuncture and electroacupuncture in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: Systematic review Badia M, Santafé MM
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The search retrieved 698 articles in total. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles were included. The level of evidence of all the articles was medium-high. The level of recommendation was medium, and the risk of bias was neutral, with a tendency towards low bias. The articles included revealed symptomatic and neurophysiological improvements, both peripheral as well as central, due to the cerebral response that occurs associated with the function of the median nerve.
For both symptom relief and function improvement, manual acupuncture is superior to ibuprofen for carpal tunnel syndrome.
2019 Clinical Rehabilitation Acupuncture and related interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome: systematic review Wu IXY, Lam VCK, Ho RST, Cheung WKW, Sit RWS, Chou LW, et al.
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Result of this systematic review has shown that acupuncture and related therapies appear to be effective in improving symptoms, function and pain in carpal tunnel syndrome.
However, validity of such conclusion is limited as majority of the included trials are at high risk of bias from lack of blinding.
Associated adverse events were minimal.
The results of manual, traditional and non-invasive therapies are similar to those of surgical treatments, and even better in a very large number of cases.
2019 Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal Systematic review of treatment methods for the carpal tunnel syndrome Glazer C, Pantea C
Systematic Review Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In the current context of medicine and therapy, statistics indicate a tendency to approach the carpal tunnel syndrome by surgical treatment, to the detriment of approaching the pathology through a non-invasive technique. The relevant specialized articles selected for this study, and published in the past 10 years, prove that alternative medicine, physical therapy, electrotherapy, and the natural evolution of untreated patients or of patients exposed to the placebo effect, may significantly improve the symptoms of the carpal tunnel syndrome.
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