YOGA-BASED INTERVENTION FOR CARPAL-TUNNEL SYNDROME - A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Context.-Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common complication of repetitive activities and causes significant morbidity, Objective.-To determine the effectiveness of a yoga-based regimen for relieving symptoms of ca rpal tunnel syndrome. Design.-Randomized, single-blind, controlled tri al. Setting.-A geriatric center and an industrial site in 1994-1995. P atients.-Forty-two employed or retired individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (median age, 52 years; range, 24-77 years). Intervention.-Sub jects assigned to the yoga group received a yoga-based intervention co nsisting of 11 yoga postures designed for strengthening, stretching, a nd balancing each joint in the upper body along with relaxation given twice weekly for 8 weeks. Patients in the control group were offered a wrist splint to supplement their current treatment. Main Outcome Meas ures.-Changes from baseline to 8 weeks in grip strength, pain intensit y, sleep disturbance, Phalen sign, and Tinel sign, and in median nerve motor and sensory conduction time. Results.-Subjects in the yoga grou ps had significant improvement in grip strength (increased from 162 to 187 mm Hg; P = .009) and pain reduction (decreased from 5.0 to 2.9 mm ; P = .02), but changes in grip strength and pain were not significant for control subjects. The yoga group had significantly more improveme nt in Phalen sign (12 improved vs 2 in control group; P = .008), but n o significant differences were found in sleep disturbance, Tinel sign, and median nerve motor and sensory conduction time. Conclusion.-In th is preliminary study, a yoga-based regimen was more effective than wri st splinting or no treatment in relieving some symptoms and signs of c arpal tunnel syndrome.