Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Wrist Splinting for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common peripheral neuropathy at the wrist that affects palmar function. Court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) is a deep-pressure method that may alleviate nerve compression. However, its efficacy remains inadequately established. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of CTTM and wrist splinting (WS) in CTS patients. Methods: Eighty patients were randomly assigned into two groups and underwent a 4-week. In the first group, patients received CTTM twice a week, while the second group received WS every day at night only. Pain intensity (VAS), symptom severity scale (Thai BCTQ-S), functional status scale (Thai BCTQ-F), and two-point discrimination (2PD) were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks (treatment), and 8 weeks (follow-up). These outcome measures were statistically compared within and between groups. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in hand pain at night (VAS-N), hand pain during the past 24 hours (VAS-24 h), BCTQ-S, BCTQ-F, and 2PD (p < 0.001). In addition, between-group comparisons demonstrated significantly greater improvements in the CTTM group compared with the WS group for VAS-24 h and 2PD (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed for VAS-N, BCTQ-S, or BCTQ-F at week 4 (p > 0.05). Conclusion: CTTM is effective in the treatment of CTS and may be used as an alternative therapeutic option for CTS patients.