Use of Opera in Carpal tunnel syndrome, a prospective study
M. Loiero – UO Neurologia – Gaetano Pini – Milano
ABSTRACT
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome,accounting for 90% of all neuropathies: generally, the patient complains of pain, changes in sensitivity such as numbness, tingling and burning. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of a supplement based on alpha lipoic acid (OPERA) in 20 patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome treated at the U.O Neurology, G. Pini Hospital Milan. The diagnosis of CTS was based on electromyography. At the first visit sensory and motor NCS were reported: distal motor latency and speed of sensitive conduction were detected before and at the end of the treatment. To all patients Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire was administered. All patients were required to take an OPERA capsule once daily, on an empty stomach for 2 months. At the end of treatment sensory and motor NCS were re-evaluated during electromyography and BCTQ questionnaire analyzed to assess Opera efficacy. Median nerve CMAP distal motor latency, at the end of treatment, improved in 63% of patients with baseline value > 4 m/s. Median nerve SAP velocity conduction (SCV) at the end of treatment improved in 75% of patients in and 55% of them values returned above the normal threshold. Regarding BCTQ, at the end of treatment, SSS score improved in 75% of subjects and FSS in 65%. Conclusions: our study has demonstrated the efficacy of Opera supplementation in Carpal tunnel syndrome. The use of this medication should be taken in consideration as a good practice in this setting of patients. Data from our study are encouraging to be confirmed by further investigations.
