Electrophysiological Responses to Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Post Burn Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Purpose: To determine the electrophysiological responses to neuromuscular electrical stimulation in post burn carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods of evaluation: (Measurement of the motor and sensory distal latencies of the median nerve).

Subjects: Sixty patients of both sexes with post burn carpal tunnel syndrome were divided randomly into two groups of equal numbers 30 patients. Group (A) received the neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus the traditional physical therapy Group (B) received the placebo neuromuscular electrical stimulation plus the traditional physical therapy program, duration of stimulation was 20 minutes, every other day for 6 weeks as a total period of treatment.

Results: No significant difference was recorded between the distal latency of the motor and sensory fibres of the median was recorded between the two groups before treatment while significant difference was recorded after the treatment in favour of patients in group A as the distal latency was significantly decreased. The results suggest that the neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in decreasing the prolonged motor and sensory distal latencies of the median nerve

Conclusion: It can be concluded that neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective in treatment of post burn carpal tunnel syndrome which can be explained by its depressor effects in decreasing the dominant sympathetic tone in burned patients, decreasing the reflex muscle spasm, increasing the peripheral circulation, decreasing oedema and inflammation, relieving the compressive ischaemic pain and improving the nerve functions.