OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the efficacy of physical therapy (PT) and radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2020 and July 2020, a total of 125 wrists of 95 patients (22 males, 73 females; mean age 54.3 +/- 11.3 years; range 19 to 69 years) with mild-to-moderate CTS were allocated into three groups and evaluated. The control group (Group 1, n = 42) was treated with splinting and an exercise program. Group 2 (n = 42) was treated with a total of three sessions of rESWT, splinting and an exercise program. Group 3 (n = 41) was treated with a total of 15 sessions of PT modalities, splinting, and an exercise program. Each patient was evaluated before, three weeks and 12 weeks after treatment using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) Pain Scale, and electrodiagnostic testing. RESULTS: The reduction in VAS, BCTQ, LANSS, and improvement in sensory nerve conduction velocity were significantly greater at three and 12 weeks of follow-up in Groups 2 and 3, compared to Group 1 (p < 0.001). A greater improvement was observed in all clinical parameters in Group 2, compared to Group 3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to compare the treatment outcomes of PT and rESWT in the treatment of CTS. The results of this study show that both PT and rESWT are effective in the treatment of CTS; however, rESWT yields superior treatment effects compared to conventional PT. The practicalities of administering rESWT and its efficacy in the treatment of CTS may make it the treatment of choice.

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