Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate superiority of short wave (SW) and pulsed short wave (PSW) therapies to each other and to placebo in mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Materials and Methods: Sixty hands (45 patients) with mild-to-moderate CTS were randomly assigned to receive SW, PSW or sham therapy. All the treatments were applied 20 minutes once a day, 5 days a week, for 2 weeks. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises were given to all hands for 12 weeks. The patients were evaluated before and after the treatment and at the 1st and the 3rd months using the Boston Symptom Severity Scale (BSSS), Boston Functional Status Scale (BFSS), grip strength, pinch strength and median nerve conduction studies by a physician who had been blinded to the treatment. 

Results: Although statistically significant improvements were obtained in BSSS and BFSS scores in all groups (p<0.05), the differences between the groups were not significant (p>0.05). Grip strength increased significantly only in SW group at the 1st and the 3rd months (p<0.05). Pinch strength increased significantly after the treatment and at the 1st and 3rd months in SW group (p<0.05). Median nerve sensory conduction velocities increased significantly only in SW group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Although SW therapy is effective on subjective clinical parameters, this efficacy is not superior to placebo. SW therapy is effective on objective clinical parameters compared to PSW therapy and placebo and it increases median nerve sensory conduction velocities in mild and moderate CTS.