title: Effect of heat, cold, and pressure on the transverse carpal ligament and median nerve: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study quantified the effects of heat, cold, and pressure on the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament in subjects without carpal tunnel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were individuals ages 20-50 who had no symptoms of carpal tunnel disease. Imaging ultrasound was used to measure the clearance around the median nerve, transverse ligament elasticity, nerve conduction velocity, thickness of the carpal ligament, and area of the median nerve. Pressure was applied to the carpal ligament to assess the effects of increasing pressure on these structures. On 3 separate days, 10 subjects had ThermaCare heat or cold packs applied, for either 60 or 120 minutes for heat or 20 minutes for cold, to the palmer surface of the hand.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tissue changes were recorded as a response to pressure applied at 0, 5, 10, and 20 N. The size of the nerve and ligaments were not significantly altered by pressure with the hand at room temperature and after cold exposure. After heat, the nerve, ligaments, and tendons showed significantly more elasticity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Application of cold to the hand may reduce compression of the carpal ligament and nerve.
authors: School of Physical Therapy, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Laymon
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Jerrold
authors: J
authors: Petrofsky
authors: School of Physical Therapy, Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: McKivigan
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors: Haneul
authors: H
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea.
authors: JongEun
authors: J
authors: Yim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050824:Carpal Joints / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000502:physiology*; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors