Effect of Phonophoresis on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremities. Phonophoresis is a localized, non-invasive, convenient and rapid method of delivering low molecular weight drugs as well as macromolecules into the skin. Aim of Study: To investigate the effect of phonophoresis on carpal tunnel syndromein pregnancy period. Subjects and Methods: This study was carried upon 30 pregnant females suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Their age ranged from 22 to 35 years and their BMI was less than 30kg/m2. They were selected from Tiba Hospital Al-Gharbia. The participants were randomly distributed in two groups equal in number. Control group (A) consisted of 15 females, each patient will receive phonophoresis for 10 mins, 3 times per week for (4 weeks) additionally to this, each patient will be asked to perform 30mins of exercises for her affected hand and wrist. Also, each patient will be asked to wear a night cook up splint throughout the treatment course (4 weeks). Study group (B) consisted of 15 females, each patient will be asked to perform 30mins of exercises for her affected hand and wrist. Also, each patient will be asked to wear a night cook up splint throughout the treatment course (4 weeks). All females in both groups (A and B) were assessed pre and post treatment by using, visual analogue scaleand EMG apparatus. Results: The results of the current study revealed that, both groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in pain sensation after treatment, group (A) achieved 78.55% while group (B) achieved 24.29% but the percentage of decrease in VAS was more pronounced and more noticeable in group (A) when compared with group (B). Also, both groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in distal latency and increase of conduction velocity of median nerve after treatment, group (A) achieved 64.02% while group (B) achieved 16.46% but the percentage of decrease in distal latency and increase of conduction velocity of median nerve was more pronounced and more noticeable in group (A) when compared with group (B).
Conclusion: Phonophoresis has beneficial effects in alleviating pain in women suffering from carpal tunnel syn-drome in pregnancy.