Therapeutic Ultrasound
Limited evidence supports that therapeutic ultrasound might be effective compared to placebo.
Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Endorsed by: ASSH, ASPS, ACR, ACS, ASA
Rationale
One high quality study (Ebenbichler 1998) evaluated the use of ultrasound in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. In a randomized controlled trial, Ebenbichler 1998 evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound (20 sessions of 15 minute interventions of 1MHz, 1.0 W/cm, pulse mode 1:4 at 5 sessions/week for 2 weeks followed by 2 sessions/week) versus placebo ultrasound on the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Multiple measures showed significant improvement in the ultrasound group: grip strength, motor distal latency (p<0.001), and pinch strength.