Pulsed Magnetic Field Versus Surgery in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Double Blind Study

This study investigated the efficacy of pulsed magnetic field therapy (PMFT) versus surgical intervention in case of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Forty five female patients diagnosed as mild to moderate CTS were included in the study. Their ages were 35:55 years with mean age 41 ± 2.5 years. Patients were divided randomly into three equal groups, placebo group received sham exposure, and group ΙΙ received PEMT at frequency of 50 Hz, and the ΙΙΙ group received surgical interference. The outcome measurements were median nerve sensory distal latency (SDL), motor distal latency (MDL) and Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ). Measurements were carried out at baseline and three months later. Paired analysis for comparison between pre and post treatment measurements in each group showed significant decrease of SDL, MDL and BCTQ scores of both magnetic and surgery groups. In other hand there were non-significant increases of any variable in the placebo group. Despite the equal baseline of all groups before treatment, there were significant decrease of all measurements of both magnetic and surgical groups than placebo group and significant decrease of all measurements of magnetic group than surgical group. The results suggested that PEMT might be beneficial in improving median nerve electrophysiological function and improving hand functional abilities.