[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of
whirlpool bath and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on
complex regional pain syndrome. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty outpatients (30 per group) with
complex regional pain syndrome participated. They received 15 treatment 5 days per week for 3 weeks. The outcome measures were the visual analogue scale for
pain,
edema, range of motion of the wrist (flexion and extension), fingertip-to-distal palmar crease distance, hand grip strength, and pinch strength. All parameters were measured at baseline (week 0) and at the trial end (week 3). [Results] There were significant improvements in all parameters after
therapy in both groups. The
whirlpool bath group showed significantly better improvements in the visual analogue score, hand
edema, hand grip strength, wrist range of motion (both flexion and extension), fingertip-to-distal palmar crease distance, and the three-point and fingertip pinch strengths than the neuromuscular electrical stimulation group; however, the lateral pinch strengths were similar. [Conclusion] Both
whirlpool bath and neuromuscular electrical stimulation are effective in the treatment of
complex regional pain syndrome, but the efficacy of the
whirlpool bath treatment was better.