In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of topical Lavender (Lavendula stoechas) essential oil on pain intensity, isometric pinch strength, specific parameters of electro-diagnosis study (EDS), symptom severity and functional status of patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Forty-eight patients with mild to moderate CTS were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled trial. Group A was treated with night wrist splint and topical Lavender oil ointment. Group B was treated with night wrist splint and a placebo ointment. Patients were evaluated at baseline and after 40 days of intervention with Boston CTS questionnaire (BCTQ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, pinch grip strength (PGS), power grip (PG), median compound motor action potential latency (MCMAPL) and median sensory nerve action potential latency (MSNAPL).

At the end of the study period, both groups improved significantly in terms of BCTQ, VAS, isometric pinch powers, and EDS parameters. However, group A showed significantly greater improvements in BCTQ (mean difference: 0.39±0.31 VS. 0.6±0.35; P=0.03), VAS (3.37±1.86 VS. 1.33±2.07; P=0.001), and PGS (0.73±0.63 VS. 0.27±0.54; P=0.01) than group B. No significant differences in PG, MCMAPL and MSNAPL were seen between the two groups.

This study was the first trial of topical Lavender oil used in patients with CTS. The results of this study suggested that splinting therapy combined with topical Lavender oil is more effective than splinting and placebo in treatment of mild to moderate CTS.