Investigation of the Effects of Peloidotherapy on Pain Severity, Functional Status, and Ultrasonographic Findings in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized, Prospective, Single-Blind Study

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common compressive neuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist. It is characterized by pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness, and functional limitations of the hand, which may negatively affect daily activities and quality of life. Conservative treatment approaches are frequently preferred, particularly in mild to moderate cases, and include wrist splinting, exercise programs, and physical therapy modalities.

This randomized, prospective, single-blind clinical trial was conducted to investigate the effects of peloidotherapy as an adjunct to wrist splint and a home exercise program in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome. Eligible participants diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups.

The control group received a wrist splint and a structured home exercise program. The intervention group received peloidotherapy in addition to the same wrist splint and home exercise program. Peloidotherapy was applied in standardized 15 sessions under controlled conditions throughout the treatment period.

Clinical and functional assessments were performed at four time points: at baseline before treatment (week 0), at the end of the treatment period (week 3), and during follow-up at one month (week 7) and three months (week 15) after completion of treatment. This assessment schedule was designed to evaluate both short-term and sustained effects of the interventions.

Outcome measures included pain intensity, functional status of the hand, functional disability, quality of life, hand grip strength, neuropathic pain characteristics, and ultrasonographic evaluation of the median nerve, including measurements of the nerve cross-sectional area.