title: Efficacy of acupuncture versus night splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of acupuncture with night splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty one mild-to-moderate degree CTS patients, aged 27-67 were randomly assigned to acupuncture (Acu) and night splinting (NS) groups. The Acu group received 10 sessions of electro-acupuncture twice a week. The NS group received prefabricated volar neutral wrist splint during the night for 5 weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and the end of treatment protocol by Boston Carpal Tunnel Scale comprising symptom severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS). Pain was measured by 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS decreased more in Acu than in the NS group (p = 0.028) whereas improvements in SSS and FSS were not significant between both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electro-acupuncture was as effective as night splinting in respect of overall symptoms and functions in mild-to-moderate degree CTS. However, pain was reduced more by electro-acupuncture than night splinting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand. wipoo_k@yahoo.co.th
authors.forename: Wipoo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kumnerddee
authors.forename: Atcharee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaewtong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010147:Pain Measurement; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013165:Splints; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome