How Curcumin Gel Reduces Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a medical condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel. This compression can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
Recently, there has been renewed interest in traditional medicine for managing this condition. Curcumin, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties, has gained attention. This study is among the first to evaluate the effect of a curcumin-based gel on CTS.
The study included 70 patients and lasted 8 weeks. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with parallel groups was conducted.
The intervention group (n = 35) used a curcumin gel and a nighttime wrist splint, while the control group (n = 35) used a placebo gel and a nighttime wrist splint. Both groups followed this treatment for 8 weeks.
The primary goal of the study was to evaluate the outcomes before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Two scales from the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were used for this purpose: the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS).
The BCTQ scales measure the impact of CTS on patients. The Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) assesses the intensity of symptoms like pain, tingling, and numbness, while the Functional Status Scale (FSS) evaluates how CTS affects daily activities, such as dressing or grasping objects. Together, these scales provide a comprehensive view of the severity of CTS and its impact on quality of life.
Additionally, all participants underwent an electrodiagnostic (EDX) test at the start of the study and after 8 weeks to evaluate potential changes in nerve function.
The mean scores on the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) showed a significant reduction in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group (P-value = 0.021). The mean change in SSS scores after the intervention was 12.45 ± 8.18 in the curcumin group and 3.28 ± 7.06 in the placebo group (P-value = 0.0001).
The mean change in the Functional Status Scale (FSS) scores was 6.24 ± 4.91 in the curcumin group, compared to 2.31 ± 4.95 in the placebo group (P-value = 0.002). However, the EDX study did not reveal significant changes in either group.
Based on these findings, curcumin-based gel proves to be an effective tool in reducing symptom severity and improving daily activities for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
If your company is interested in creating or manufacturing a product to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:
Source: November 2024, Efficacy of topical curcumin on mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, PubMed
