OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of massage alone or in combination with pricking collateral blood therapy (PCBT) on mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODSSixty cases with mild CTS were randomly assigned into two groups, the control group treated with massage therapy alone, and the treated group with PCBT at the six Jing points of the affected upper limb combined with massage, 30 cases in each group. The therapy was conducted in all patients for 3 courses. The therapeutic effect was observed and the differential value (D-value) of sensory conduction velocity (SCV) between the median and ulnar nerves of the fourth digit (D4) was detected before and after each course of therapy.

RESULTSAfter 3 treatment courses, excellent, therapeutic effect was shown in 26 patients and good effect in 4 of the treated group, while in the control group, the effect was excellent in 8, good in 20, and improved in 2. The effect was better in the former group than that in the latter (P<0.05). Marked difference in the D-value of SCV was shown at the end of each course in both groups (P<0.05). As compared it between the two groups, significant difference was shown at the end of the 1st and 3rd course respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment of massage and PCBT showed better effect on mild CTS than massage therapy alone, and the onset time may positively correlated to the frequency of applying PCBT.