1 Department of Physical Therapy, Shebin El Kom Teaching Hospital, Shebin El Kom, Menofyia, Egypt
2 Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
3 Department of Surgical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Helwan, Egypt
4 Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery and Burn, Faculty of Physical Therapy, El Saleheya El Gadida University, Sharqia, Egypt
*Corresponding Author: Heba A. E., Department of Physical Therapy, Shebin El Kom Teaching Hospital, Shebin El Kom, Menofyia, Egypt
Received: 20th Feb, 2026 | Revised: 4th Mar, 2026 | Accepted: 25th Mar, 2026 | Available Online: 10th Apr, 2026
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome among patients with post-mastectomy lymphedema has attracted considerable global attention. There is potential evidence supporting neural mobilization as an alternative therapy due to its therapeutic benefits in addressing musculoskeletal weakness and associated functional deficiencies.
Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of neural mobilization in treating symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome in post mastectomy lymphedema patients.
Patients and Methods: Forty female participants diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to post-mastectomy Grade III lymphedema (symptoms persisting for at least three months) were recruited from Shebin El Kom Educational Hospital. Participants were aged between 40 and 60 years and were free from any post-surgical complications. They were randomly allocated into two equal groups; Group A: twenty participants received neural mobilization, plus routine physical therapy, two sessions per week for twelve weeks, as well their standard medical treatments; and Group B: twenty participants received routine physical therapy, two sessions per week for twelve weeks, as well their standard medical treatments, from June 2023 to March 2024. Evaluation included symptom severity, hand grip strength, and upper extremity lymphedema, assessed using the Symptom Severity Scale, a manual hand-held dynamometer, and tape measurement, respectively. Statistical analysis with significance level 0.05 level.
Results: Unsignificant differences revealed at baseline analysis. Both groups had revealed a significant decrease in symptoms' severity, and upper extremity circumference reported values, and a significant increase in hand grip strength reported values post treatment. While there were significant improvements in group A compared with group B post treatment in terms of symptoms' severity, hand grip strength, and upper extremity circumference (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: It could be concluded that adding neural mobilization to physiotherapy rehabilitation program improves symptoms' severity, hand grip strength, as well upper extremity circumference in women with carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to post-mastectomy lymphedema.
Keywords: Neural Mobilization, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Lymphedema, Post mastectomy, Symptom severity Scale, grip strength, Hand held-dynamometer.
How to cite this article: Heba AE, Othman EM, Elsheikh AT, Elashwah WAA, Khadr AAA. Effect of Neural Mobilization on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Post Mastectomy Lymphedema Patients. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(29s):142-149. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.29s.18
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.