Effect of shock wave therapy on nerve conduction Velocity of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome patients: Review Article

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common medical condition, which causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm of the affected individual. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist, in the previous articles there is a recommendation for searching the long-term effect of shockwave therapy in CTS patients. Shock wave therapy, a new therapeutic method for the treatment of mild-to-moderate CTS, has recently attracted more attention and can be used to improve median nerve function in patients with CTS.Purpose: This review aimed to illustrate the long-term effect of shockwaves on the nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve in CTS patients.Materials and Methods: We searched Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane for shockwave therapy and carpal tunnel syndrome. The authors also reviewed references from pertinent literature; however, only the most recent or comprehensive studies from December 2015 to November 2024 were included. the studies in languages other than English were excluded due to a lack of translation-related sources. Papers such as unpublished manuscripts, oral presentations, conference abstracts, and dissertations not part of larger scientific studies were excluded.Conclusion: A review of the current literature concluded that using shockwave for carpal tunnel syndrome improves nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve on the long term period.