Diacutaneous fibrolysis (DF) is a technique developed from Cyriax deep friction massage principles. While DF has shown promise for treatment of shoulder pain and lateral epicondylitis, no prior studies have assessed its efficacy for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) intervention.

This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial included patients with mild to moderate CTS. The participants were randomized to receive DF or sham DF. All treatment subjects were involved in five sessions of 20 minutes′ duration, with an interval of two to five days between sessions. A sham group received similar appearing treatment, but with pressure delivered at a superficial level, without generating mechanical traction on the deep fibers of the soft tissue.

The intensive, nocturnal symptoms of the DF group were significantly reduced compared to those of the sham group. Functional capacity of the upper extremity was significantly improved in the DF group as compared to the sham group. This improvement persisted at onemonth follow-up. The DF group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in sensory nerve conduction velocity and motor conduction velocity as compared to the sham group.

This study of DF patients with mild-to-moderate symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome found that, after five sessions, significant improvements were achieved on electrodiagnostic, symptomatic as well as functional measures.