Amr Mohammed Saffan, Lilian Albert Zaky, Molham Mahmood Mohammed, Reda S Eweda

Abstract

Aim: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment due to median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel of the wrist. We aimed in this study to compare the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) plus tendons and nerve gliding exercise versus phonophoresis plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises on median nerve conduction studies, pain intensity, symptoms severity, function status, hand grip strength, and key pinch strength in patients with mild and moderate CTS. Material and Method: Forty patients were assigned in two different groups; LLLT plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises (n=20) and phonophoresis plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises (n=20). Pre-treatment (W0) and post-treatment follow-ups at four (W4) weeks were carried out using Electromyography (EMG) devise, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Symptoms severity scale (SSS), function status scale (FSS), Hydraulic hand dynamometer, and pinch dynamometer. Results: There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between two groups concerning age, sex, hand, and duration symptoms. There was a significant (p =0.0001) improvement in all the tested parameters between pre-and post-treatment within each group. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between two groups concerning median nerve conduction studies, and grip strength. While, there was significant difference (p < 0.05) for phonophoresis plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises group in post Vas, SSS, FSS, and key pinch values between the two groups. Discussion: Our study results showed that LLLT plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises and phonophoresis plus tendons and nerve gliding exercises were effective during 4weeks follow-up in patients with mild and moderate CTS with statistical signifi¬cance superiority to phonophoresis with tendon and nerve gliding exercises for improving pain level, symptoms severity, function status, and key pinch strength.