Objective: The purpose of this prospective case series was to examine the combined effects of soft tissue
mobilization and nerve slider neurodynamic technique on pain and pressure sensitivity in women with chronic carpal
tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods: Eighteen women with a clinical and electromyographic diagnosis of CTS participated. Patients completed
the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) for current, worst, and lowest pain intensity and underwent pain pressure
threshold (PPT) testing over the median, radial, and ulnar nerves; the C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint; the carpal tunnel;
and the tibialis anterior muscle. Pain was assessed at baseline and 1-week follow-up, whereas PPT were assessed at
baseline and immediately after and 1-week after intervention. Each received soft tissue mobilization and nerve slider
neurodynamic technique directed at different anatomical sites of potential entrapment of the median nerve.
Results: A decrease in the mean current intensity and worst level of hand pain (P b .01) was found 1 week after the
treatment session (mean changes, 2.2 ± 1.1 points). A treatment effect for PPT levels over the C5-C6 zygapophyseal
joint (P b .001) was found: PPT increased bilaterally 1 week after the intervention. No other significant changes in
PPT levels were found (P N .195).
Conclusions: The application of soft tissue mobilization and neurodynamic technique decreased the intensity of pain but
did not change pressure pain sensitivity in this group of women with chronic CTS.