Comparison of the efficacy of peloid therapy and paraffin treatment in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy caused by median nerve compression at the wrist, managed with treatments like splinting, physical therapy, injections, and surgery. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of paraffin and peloid therapies combined with night splint use in reducing symptom severity, improving functional status, and enhancing electrophysiological findings in patients with mild to moderate CTS.Sixty patients with mild to moderate CTS scheduled for paraffin or peloid therapy with night splint use were included. Symptom severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire's Symptom Severity Scale (BSSS). Functional status was evaluated with the Functional Status Scale (BFSS). Electrophysiological parameters, including distal sensory latency (DSL), distal motor latency (DML), sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), compound muscle action potential (CMAP), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), and motor conduction velocity (MCV), were measured via electromyography (EMG). Assessments were performed at baseline, and at the 4th and 12th weeks post-treatment. Both therapies significantly improved VAS and BSSS scores at the 4th and 12th weeks (p < 0.05). Functional status improved only in the paraffin group (p < 0.05). Electrophysiological improvements in DSL and DML were significant in the paraffin group (p < 0.05), while no significant changes were noted in the peloid group. Between-group comparisons showed significant differences in DSL, DML, and SCV in favor of paraffin (p < 0.05). Paraffin and peloid therapies with night splint use reduce CTS symptom severity, but paraffin is superior in improving function and nerve conduction.