[Comparison between the effect of dexamethasone luntophoresis and drug therapy on 60 cases with carpal tunnel syndrome]

ABSTRACT

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is the most common entrapment neuropathy in all peripheral nervous system e of it is one of the most important causes of disability in patients. This study was designed to compare the efficacy of luontophoresis and medical treatment for idiopathic CTS. 60 consecutive patients with CTS confirmed by electromyography participated randomly in two experimental groups [drug therapy], and luontophoresis. lntervention in each group include 20 daily treatment luontophoresis [4ma, positive electrode, 15 mm/session] applied to the area over the carpal tunnel of the wrist region. Measurement were performed before and after treatment and included pain assessment, electromyo and neurography measurement [motor and sensory latency, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity], grip strength. Improvement was significantly more pronounced in Iuntophoresis group than drug therapy group for variables, motor latency [P<0/000], sensory latency [P< 0/005], hand grip [P<0/000], and pain relief [P<0/000]. In clinical findings atrophy was not observed. Nocturnal pain and paresthesia were reduced 80% in luntophoresis group but 46/6% in control group. Results indicate both luntophoresis and drugs were effective, but luntophoresis was better than drugs. Further investigation is needed to investigate the effects of combination of these treatments in patients with mild to sever CTS