Effect of Different Ultrasonic Intensities in Reducing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different intensities of pulsed ultrasonic on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of normal pregnant ladies to determine the optimal intensity of pulsed ultrasonic which can used safely and effectively for reducing carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. Forty-five pregnant women at the early third trimester complaining from idiopathic CTS (Pain, numbness and tingling of the hand), which confirmed by electrophysiological examination [reduced both sensory and motor median nerve conduction velocities] were participated in this study. They were selected from Obstetric Out patient Clinic at Kasr El-Ainy University Hospital. Their ages ranged from 25–35 years old, their BMI did not exceed 34Kg/m 2 and their gravidity ranged from 1-3 times. They were assigned randomly into three groups (A, B and C) equal in numbers according to the intensity of the applied ultrasonic as patients of group (A) treated by ultrasonic with intensity of (0.5 W/cm 2 ), and patients of group (B) treated by ultrasonic with intensity of (1.0W/cm 2 ) while patients of group (C) treated by ultrasonic with intensity of (1.5 W/cm 2 ) for 10 minutes, 3 times/week for 4 weeks accompanied by using a night wrist splint to keep her wrist in a neutral position during sleep. All patients in the three groups were assessed by median sensory conduction velocity SNCV and median motor conduction velocity MNCV, as well as present pain intensity (PPI) scale. The results of this study revealed a statistically significant increase in both sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities of patients in both groups (A and B) who treated by pulsed ultrasonic with intensity equal 0.5 W/cm 2 and 1 W/cm 2 but this increase was more pronounced in patients of group (A) who treated by pulsed ultrasonic with intensity of 0.5 W/cm 2 . While group (C) who treated by pulsed ultrasonic with intensity equal 1.5 W/cm 2 showed a non significant increase in both SNCV and MNCV. The results also revealed a statistically significant decrease of the intensity of the experienced pain in all patients in the three groups (A, B and C). Thus it can be concluded that ultrasonic at low intensity (0.5 W/cm 2 ) is an effective physical