Short-term effects of dry needling of thenar muscles in manual laborers with carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot, randomized controlled study.

STUDY DESIGN

Pilot, randomized, single-blinded controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Trigger point (s) (TrPs) in thenar muscles could be a cause of narrowing of carpal tunnel in manual laborers with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Effects of dry needling (DN) on the treatment of muscle tension have been reported, but no research has been done on the effect of DN on thenar tight muscles on reducing CTS symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of DN of thenar muscles TrPs in the treatment of mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

METHODS

Thirty manual laborers with mild-to-moderate CTS and the presence of TrP(s) in thenar muscles were randomized to DN group (n = 15) and control group (waiting list) (n = 15). The DN group received 2 sessions of DN of thenar muscles TrP(s), with a 48-h interval. The control group received no treatment. Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) scores were the primary outcome, while secondary outcomes included electrophysiological domains, pinch and grip strength. Outcome measures were obtained at baseline, 48 hours, and 2 weeks after treatment (follow-up). Two-way analysis of variance (2 groups × 3 times) was used to compare within- and between-group differences. Bonferroni post hoc test was used to find any significant differences in the main effect for group, time, or interaction (group time).

RESULTS

A baseline assessment revealed no intergroup differences in all evaluated parameters ( > .05). Compared to the control group, the DN group had a statistically significant improvement in pinch and grip strength, median SDL, and BCTQ score after 2 weeks ( < .05). There were no between-group differences in the assessment of motor electrophysiologic and SNCV findings ( > .05).

CONCLUSION

Dry needling of thenar TrP(s) is effective in short-term improvement of function in manual laborers with mild-to-moderate CTS.