Efficacy of kinesiotaping in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel sydrome is the most common compression neuropathy. It occurs when median nerve is compressed on its way through carpal tunnel under the transvers carpal ligament. It causes complaints such as pain, numbness on hand, and functional lose. Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is based on clinical findings and supported by electrophysiological studies. There are different approaches for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome which consist both conservative and surgical modalities. However, there is no certain evidence about suporiority of each conservative option to another. In this study it is aimed to evaluate the additional benefit of kinesio taping to tendon and nerve gliding exercises in the treatment of mild or moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. 38 wrists of 21 patients included in the study, diagnosed as mild or moderate carpal tunnel syndrome according to electrophysiological findings. Wrists of patients were divided into 2 groups randomly as control and treatment groups. Tendon and nerve gliding exercises were given to each groups as home exercise programme. Kinesio taping was applied to the treatment group for totally 3 times with 5 days pauses and starting at the first day of study. Patients were evaluated before treatment, at the third week and sixth week of the treatment, totally three times. Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire for symptoms and function, Jamar dynamometer and pinchmeter for grasping and gripping strengths respectively and Moberg pick-up test for hand skills evaluation were used. Also, ultrasonography was performed for carpal tunnel and median nerve evaluation. Groups were similar by means of clinical and ultrasonographic findings before treatment. In both groups, significant progress in clinical signs was detected at the third week of the study. In treatment group, Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire score and Moberg pick-up test score showed more progress compared to control group at the third week. A meaningfull progress at clinical signs was detected on both groups at the sixth week. When groups were compared, the results were similar. Progress in clinical findings was not accompanied by the ultrasonographic findings in both groups. In conclusion, in mild or moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, kinesio taping added to tendon and nerve gliding exercises may cause limited but significant benefit during short time. More randomized, controlled clinical studies with much more patients is needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.