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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 May 18:11:e15398.
doi: 10.7717/peerj.15398. eCollection 2023.

Effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation vs. conventional therapy in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Arachaphon Panathoop  1 , Jittima Saengsuwan  1 , Ratana Vichiansiri  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation vs. conventional therapy in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Arachaphon Panathoop et al. PeerJ. .

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent entrapment neuropathy resulting in hand pain, numbness and/or weakness, which significantly impairs hand function in daily activities. Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) is a potential therapeutic option for focal peripheral nerve disease and may be beneficial for CTS treatment. We aimed to compare the effects of rPMS and conventional therapy in the management of CTS.

Methods: A blinded assessor randomly assigned 24 participants with electrodiagnostically-confirmed mild or moderate CTS to either rPMS or conventional therapy. Both groups were briefed on disease progression and tendon-gliding exercises. In the intervention group, the rPMS protocol, five sessions of rPMS-with a frequency of 10 Hz, 10 pulses/train, and 100 trains/session-were performed over a period of 2 weeks, with three sessions in the first week and two sessions in the second week. At baseline and the end of the second week, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, pinch strength, and electrodiagnostic results were evaluated.

Results: The rPMS group demonstrated significantly greater within-group improvement in symptom severity scores (2.3 vs. 1.6, p = 0.009) and pinch strength (10.6 lbs vs. 13.8 lbs, p < 0.001). Regarding electrodiagnostic parameters, sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude was significantly increased (8.7 µV vs. 14.3 µV, p = 0.002) within the group treated with rPMS. With conventional therapy, there were no statistically significant within-group differences. Multiple linear regression models showed that there were no significant differences in other outcomes in between-group comparisons.

Conclusions: Five sessions of rPMS resulted in significant reduction in symptom severity, improvement in pinch strength and increase in SNAP amplitude. Future research should investigate the clinical utility of rPMS using a larger sample and longer treatment and follow-up durations.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Pilot; Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Set-up of rPMS therapy.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Flow diagram of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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