Effect of ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and nerve stimulation on pain and function in carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Borrella-Andrés, Sergio ; Rodríguez-Sanz, Jacobo ; López-de-Celis, Carlos ; Marqués García, Isabel ; Bueno-Gracia, Elena (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Rodríguez-Mena, Diego (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Malo-Urriés, Miguel (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: Objective
To assess the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and peripheral nerve stimulation in reducing pain, improving functional capacity, and modifying mechanosensitivity responses in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome compared to a sham intervention.

Design
A multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Settings
Double center pain clinic.

Subjects
In brief, 46 patients diagnosed, with carpal tunnel syndrome, assigned to an intervention group or a sham group.

Methods
Both groups received 3 sessions over 4 weeks. Primary outcomes included mean and worst pain intensity. Secondary outcomes assessed functional status and symptoms severity; Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1, grip and pinch strength, two-point discrimination, sensory thresholds, pressure pain threshold and Global Rating of Change Scale. Follow-ups were conducted at 4, 12, and 24 weeks.

Results
Statistically significant intergroup differences were observed for all evaluated variables across follow-ups, except for grip and pinch strength. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in pain intensity, functional disability, sensory thresholds, and neural mobility, with large effect sizes ranging from 0.64 to 2.09. Notably, the improvements in pain and function were sustained at 6 months.

Conclusions
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrolysis and peripheral nerve stimulation significantly reduce pain and improve function in carpal tunnel syndrome, offering a promising minimally invasive alternative to standard care.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnaf170

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Pain Medicine (United States) (2025), [15 pp.]
ISSN: 1526-2375

Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)

Área (Departamento): Area Medicina (Dpto. Medicina, Psiqu. y Derm.)
Área (Departamento): Área Fisioterapia (Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería)