Tomasz Wolny

The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Poland

Abstract Title: Neurodynamic Techniques Versus “Sham” Therapy in the Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Biography:

My name is Tomasz Wolny, I am a professor at the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice and a physiotherapy specialist with over 25 years of experience. I have extensive scientific achievements, authorship and co-authorship of 122 scientific publications, numerous academic awards and recognition in the physiotherapy community. I run a physiotherapy office TW.REHA, where I combine science with practice, offering patients modern and effective treatment methods.

Research Interest:

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of therapy based on sliding and tensioning neurodynamic techniques in the conservative treatment of mild and moderate forms of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) in comparison with sham therapy. Design: Single-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Setting: Several medical clinics. Participants: People diagnosed with CuTS (initially 136 people), of whom 91 completed the full protocol. Intervention: In the experimental group (MT), sliding and tensioning neurodynamic techniques were used, while in the control group (ST) a sham therapy was used, in which neurodynamic techniques were performed in an intermediate position (without the neurodynamic sequence appropriate for the ulnar nerve). The therapy was performed five times a week for 10 sessions. Main outcome measures: All participants were assessed nerve conduction study, ultrasound imaging (cross-sectional area and shear modulus), pain, two-point discrimination sensation, cutaneous sensory perceptron threshold, symptoms and ability to perform certain activities, change of improvement after treatment. Results: A baseline assessment revealed no intergroup differences in all examined parameters (P>0.05). After therapy, there was statistically significant intra group improvement in all tested parameters (p<0.01). Intra group differences after the applied therapy in the MT group were significant in all tested parameters (p<0.01). In the ST group (sham therapy) only in shear modulus the differences were statistically significant, and in the remaining tested parameters they did not change. Conclusions: The use of neurodynamic techniques has a better therapeutic effect than sham therapy in the treatment of mild and moderate forms of CuTS.