The present study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of focused ESWT (F-ESWT) to conservative treatment in patients with CTS.~24 patients who was diagnosed as CTS based on symptoms of CTS and physical examination. They were randomly allocated into two groups (21 patients per group), mainly F-ESWT plus conservative treatment and conservative treatment only.~Outcome measures were BCTQ including symptom and function subscales, electrophysiologic parameters, and sonography to evaluate cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve. All measures were recorded at baseline, 3 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment.~Statistical analysis was performed to determine changes within the same group and compare difference between the two groups.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment of upper extremity. Patients with CTS will experience symptoms of pain, numbness of tingling sensation along the median nerve distribution. In more severe case, patients may have difficult manipulating objects that disturb function and patient's quality of life. Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is one of physical modalities that uses to treat many musculoskeletal disorders. For CTS, previous evidence showed that ESWT can improve symptoms, function as well as electrophysiologic parameters. However, standardized guidelines as well as the study in patients with moderate to severe CTS has not been established. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate efficacy of ESWT in term of symptoms, function, electrophysiologic parameters, as well as sonography of median nerve in patients with moderate to severe CTS.