Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment syndrome worldwide. Objective The current work aimed at determining the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on different severities of carpal tunnel syndrome. Subjects and methods Sixty patients with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were participated in this study. They were divided into three equal groups according to severity (mild, moderate, and severe). All patients received shock wave therapy one session per week, for 6 weeks. Nerve conduction studies (NCs) were done for the median nerve. Pinch dynamometer was used to measure the degree of lateral pinch power, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess degree of pain and Ultrasonography analysis measured cross-sectional area (CSA) of median nerve for all patients at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results There was significant improvement (P < 0.05) in sensory conduction parameters, CSA, lateral pinch power, and VAS after shock wave therapy in all groups. Also, there was significant improvement in motor latency, motor, and sensory amplitudes after shock wave therapy in mild and moderate groups only (P < 0.05). In all group samples, results revealed a highly significant correlations (p < 0.001) between peak sensory latency (PSL) with VAS, CSA with motor latency (ML), CSA with PSL, CSA with VAS, CSA with lateral pinch, and ML with lateral pinch. Conclusion It is recommended to use ESWT as a conservative treatment in patients with different severities of CTS, except patients with severe motor affection. Trial registration PACTR201804003293116. Registered on 26 April 2018 as retrospective registration in the pan African clinical trial registry (www.pactr.org).

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Background: Sensorimotor cortex is responsive to peripheral and central stimulation by mechanisms that are important for learning motor tasks. The purpose of this study was to investigate difference between the effect of task oriented program and balance exercises on postural stability in stroke patients.Subjects and procedures: Thirty stroke hemiparetic subjects were assigned into two equal groups (group I and II): group (I) received task oriented training program in addition to selected physical therapy program (PNF technique, weight bearing exercises and gait training) while group (II) received balance exercise in addition to selected physical therapy program (PNF technique, weight bearing exercises and gait training). Subjects were assessed using biodex stability system including postural stability test. Results: This study revealed that balance is significantly improved in both groups with the best results for group I. Conclusion: Task oriented training could be considered a valuable method for treating balance in stroke patients.