Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy of the upper limb and a significant contributor to hand functional impairment and disability. Hand is an important part of body to perform the complex daily living activities. Purpose: To investigate effect of combined kinesiotape and therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Material and methods: Thirty Carpal Tunnel Syndrome female patients with positive electro diagnostic findings (MMDL >4.2 ms) participated in this study, their ages ranged between 40 to 50 years. Design of study: They were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group (A) received kinesiotape application on the affected wrist for 3 days, then day off and then another three days each week for 4 weeks combined with a program of 12 sessions of continuous ultrasound, 3 sessions per week for 5 minute per session in addition nerve and tendon gliding exercise while, Group (B) received a program of 12 sessions of continuous ultrasound, 3 sessions per week for 5 minute per session in addition tendon and nerve gliding exercise. The treatment program continued for 4 weeks. Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire and median motor distal latency, visual analogue scale and hand grip dynamometer were performed before and after the treatment program for all patients of the two groups. Results: The obtained results showed a highly statistically significant (P<0.0001) improvement in both groups (A and B) concerning Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire, visual analogue scale and hand grip dynamometer but there was significant improvement in group (A) only concerning median motor distal latency. The improvement was highly significant (P<0.0001) in group (A) when compared with group B

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