EFFECTIVENESS OF ULTRASOUND THERAPY AND INTERFERENTIAL THERAPY IN REDUCING PAIN AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve in the wrist, resulting in pain, numbness, and hand weakness. Conventional treatments include wrist splinting, corticosteroid injections, and surgery. However, adjunctive modalities such as ultrasound therapy and interferential therapy have shown promise in alleviating symptoms and enhancing functional outcomes. This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of these therapies in improving pain, functional status, and quality of life in CTS patients aged 21–50 years.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of ultrasound therapy and interferential therapy in reducing pain, improving hand function, and enhancing quality of life in CTS patients.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 80 participants, equally distributed by gender and aged 21–50 years. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: ultrasound therapy (Group 1) and interferential therapy (Group 2). Treatments were administered over four weeks, with five sessions per week, each lasting 15–20 minutes. Outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Boston Questionnaire, Sollerman Hand Function Test, and Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) Questionnaire. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons were conducted using paired t-tests, and between-group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests.

Results: In Group 1 (ultrasound therapy), pain scores significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 1.5 to 3.5 ± 1.2 (p < 0.001), and quality of life scores improved from 60.4 ± 8.3 to 82.7 ± 7.9 (p < 0.01). Functional scores also showed significant improvements (Boston scale: 2.45 ± 1.17 to 1.00 ± 0.00; Sollerman: 72.5 ± 8.4 to 89.6 ± 7.5). In Group 2 (interferential therapy), pain scores decreased to 4.8 ± 1.4 (p < 0.05), and quality of life scores improved moderately (60.1 ± 7.9 to 74.5 ± 6.8, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Ultrasound therapy demonstrated superior effectiveness over interferential therapy in reducing pain and improving hand function and quality of life in CTS patients. These findings highlight the potential of ultrasound therapy as a valuable adjunctive treatment for optimizing outcomes in CTS management.