title: Exploring the Effectiveness of External Use of Bach Flower Remedies on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A randomized, pilot, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of a cream based on Bach flower remedies (BFR) on symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome during their "waiting" time for surgical option were randomized into 3 parallel groups: Placebo (n = 14), blinded BFR (n = 16), and nonblinded BFR (n = 13). These groups were treated during 21 days with topical placebo or a cream based on BFR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements were observed on self-reported symptom severity and pain intensity favorable to BFR groups with large effect sizes (η2partial> 0.40). In addition, all signs observed during the clinical exam showed significant improvements among the groups as well as symptoms of pain, night pain, and tingling, also with large effect sizes (φ > 0.5). Finally, there were significant differences between the blinded and nonblinded BFR groups for signs and pain registered in clinical exam but not in self-reports.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed BFR cream could be an effective intervention in the management of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, reducing the severity symptoms and providing pain relief.
authors.affiliation: Medical University "Serafín Ruíz de Zárate Ruíz" of Villa Clara, Santa Clara, Cuba sairars@ucm.vcl.sld.cu.|University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Saira R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rivas-Suárez
authors.affiliation: University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Águila-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Suárez-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Lázaro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vázquez-León
authors.affiliation: University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casanova-Giral
authors.affiliation: University Hospital "Arnaldo Milián Castro," Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Morales-Morales
authors.affiliation: Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba.
authors.forename: Boris C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Martín
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D065829:Flower Essences / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059408:Pain Management; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D063465:Skin Cream; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D065829:Flower Essences
keywords: Bach flower remedies; carpal tunnel syndrome; complementary and alternative medicine