Peer-reviewed research
Pyridoxine hydrochloride treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a review
E. Aufiero et al., Nutrition Reviews, 2004 · DOI 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2004.tb00030.x
Read the originalRead on October 17, 2026
- What it is
- A 2004 review from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey of the claim that vitamin B6 treats carpal tunnel syndrome, covering the deficiency hypothesis, the electrodiagnostic evidence and the toxicity risk.
- How much weight it carries
- Peer-reviewed narrative review, not a meta-analysis. It predates the 2023 Cochrane steroid and splinting reviews, and its conclusion that supplements are reasonable rests on a judgment about the limited studies, so treat it as a dated opinion.
Facts taken from this source
- A 2004 review describes the idea that idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome is a sign of vitamin B6 deficiency as a hypothesis, not as an established cause.
“It has been hypothesized that idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a manifestation of vitamin B6 deficiency.” (Abstract)
- A 2004 review concluded that vitamin B6 supplementation appears reasonable for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, that some patients improve symptomatically, and that the risk of toxicity is low at recommended doses.
“Some patients will improve symptomatically with low risks of toxicity in recommended doses.” (Abstract)