Effect of Persian manual therapy (Fateh technique) on patients with mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a clinical trial

Abstract

Objective: Various non-surgical treatments are used to treat Carpal tunnel syndrome, including hand therapy. In this study, the effect of Fateh Iranian hand therapy on this disease has been investigated for the first time. Method: In this controlled clinical trial, 58 female patients (78 hands) eligible for carpal tunnel syndrome were divided into two groups of intervention (splint, Fateh hand therapy, and exercise) and the control group (splint only). Each person in the intervention group received about 7 minutes of soft tissue manipulation for 6 sessions and performed two active exercises at home daily. Symptom severity and functional capacity were assessed with the Boston questionnaire, pain intensity, and electrodiagnostic findings at the beginning and tenth week, and patient satisfaction in the tenth week of the experiment. Results: Data of 51 patients, all-female (68 hands), were analyzed. The age distribution was the same in both groups. In the intervention group, we saw a significant improvement in symptom severity and functional capacity compared to the control group (P-value<0.05). In addition, pain changes in the intervention group were significantly more than in the control group (P-value<0.05). The values ​​of electrodiagnostic variables at the beginning and end of the design were not significantly different between the two groups (P-value>0.05). Comparison of changes in these values ​​did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P-value>0.05). Satisfaction in the intervention group was significantly higher (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: Fateh method is effective in reducing the symptoms of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.