The effectiveness of gabapentin and exercises in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the reasons for labor abandon-ment due to inability and pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of gabapentin and exercise training in the treatment of CTS and compare their effects. This single-blind clinical trial was con-ducted on patients referred to the Imam Hossein hospital's electrodiag-nostic (EDX) unit. The patients randomly assigned into four groups: us-ing nocturnal splint as an approved treatment in the control group; tak-ing 300-mg gabapentin per night and using nocturnal splint; nerve and tendon gliding exercises and using nocturnal splint; and taking 300-mg gabapentin per night, performing same exercise as group 3 and using nocturnal splint. At baseline, four indicators were assessed in all pa-tients, including the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire, visual ana-logue scale (VAS), pinch and grip strength of the affected hand. One month after the beginning of intervention, participants were reassessed and compared for each of the four indicators. Using nocturnal splint along with exercise and gabapentin significantly improved VAS, pinch and grip strength in moderate CTS compared to control group that only used nocturnal splint. However in mild CTS, grip strength was not sig-nificantly higher compared to control group (P=0.048). Results of this study showed that use of splint alone in mild CTS is an appropriate and sufficient treatment; however, in moderate CTS, receiving gabapentin along with exercise and splinting showed better treatment results com-pared to splinting alone.