OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome between the combined therapy of regular acupuncture and contralateral needling technique at distal acupoints and the regular acupuncture.

METHODSSixty patients of mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome were divided into an observation group and a control group according to random number table, 30 cases in each one. Laogong (PC 8), Daling (PC 7), Neiguan (PC 6), Yuji (LU 10) and Hegu (LI 4) were selected on the affected side in the two groups. In the observation group, the reducing needling technique with lifting and thrusting was applied at first to Taichong (LR 3) and Zhongfeng (LR 4) on the opposite side and afterwards those on the affected side were stimulated. In the control group, acupuncture was given at the acupoints on the affected side. The even-needling technique was used at the acupoints on the affected side in the patients of the two groups. Acupuncture was given once every day, 30 min each time. The treatment for 10 days was as one session. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after 3 sessions. The changes in median nerve electrophysiology, Levine's carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire, the patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) and the evaluation of therapeutic effects were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 90.0% (27/30) in the observation group, better than 70.0% (21/30) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the nerve sensory conduction velocity and the amplitude of median nerve were all increased in the two groups, indicating the significant differences (all<0.05). The increase in the observation group was more apparent than that in the control group (all<0.05). The symptom severity score (SSS) and function status score (FSS) were all reduced apparently after treatment in the two groups (both<0.05). SSS and FSS in the observation group were lower apparently than those in the control group after treatment (both<0.05). PRWE score after treatment was reducedapparently as compared with that before treatment in the two groups (both<0.05). The result in the observation group was lower than that in the control group after treatment (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe combined treatment of regular acupuncture technique and the contralateral needling technique at distal acupoints achieves the definite therapeutic effects on mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, apparently superior to the regular needling technique.