ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture and nerve and tendon gliding exercises on mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.Methods Forty patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each of 20.Both groups were given neurotrophic drugs.The observation group was additionally provided with electroacupuncture and nerve and tendon gliding exercises,while the control group was given routine health education for 4 weeks.The Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire (BCTQ),a visual analogue scale (VAS),thumb and middle finger to wrist motor conduction velocity (MCV),sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs),median nerve distal motor latency (DML) and the amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the musculi abductor pollicis brevis were evaluated.Results There were no significant differences in any of the measurements between the two groups before the treatment.After four weeks of treatment,significantly better improvement was observed in the average SCV of the thumb and wrist,the SCV of the digitus medius and wrist,the SNAP of the thumb and wrist,the SNAP of the digitus medius and wrist,the DML of the nervus medianus and the CMAP of the abductor pollicis brevis in the observation group compared to before the treatment and compared to the control group.Moreover,there was a significant decrease in the observation group's average BCTQ symptom score and function score and in their VAS ratings.However,in the control group significant differences were only found in the average SCV of the thumb and wrist,the DML of the nervus medianus and in their VAS ratings.Conclusions Electroacupuncture and nerve and tendon gliding exercises can significantly relieve symptoms and restore hand function.They are worth applying in clinical practice.