Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the short-term effects of local microwave hyperthermia on
pain and function in patients with mild to moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel
syndrome. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinic of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients with idiopathic carpal
tunnel syndrome, 12 of whom had bilateral involvement, for a total of 34 wrists,
divided into two groups: a hyperthermia active treatment group (number of wrists
= 17) and a sham-controlled group (number of wrists = 17). INTERVENTION: Six
sessions, two per week, of either hyperthermia or sham treatment were provided
over a period of three weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Visual analogue scale, Levine-Boston
Self-Assessment Questionnaire (part I: evaluation of pain intensity; part II:
evaluation of functional status) and neurophysiological assessments, were
determined at baseline and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The hyperthermia
group experienced a significant improvement in pain (visual analogue scale: P =
0.002; Levine-Boston part I: P < 0.0001) and functional status (Levine-Boston
part II: P = 0.002) relative to baseline. No improvements in pain intensity or
functionality were observed in the sham-treated group. Changes in pain severity
between baseline and the end of treatment were larger in the hyperthermia group
than in the sham-controlled group (Delta visual analogue scale P = 0.004; Delta
Levine-Boston part I: P = 0.009). No differences either intra or between groups
were observed for median nerve conduction velocity. CONCLUSION: Hyperthermia
provides short-term improvements in pain and function in patients with mild to
moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Langue : ANGLAIS