Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including details on symptoms, causes, trauma, diagnosis, physiotherapy.

Efficacy of a fabricated customized splint and tendon and nerve gliding exercises for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Brininger TL, Rogers JC, Holm MB, Baker NA, Li ZM, Goitz RJ

Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a neutral wrist and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) splint with a wrist cock-up splint, with and without exercises, for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). DESIGN: A 2x2x3 randomized factorial design with 3 main factors: splint (neutral wrist and MCP and wrist cock-up), exercise (exercises, no exercise), and time (baseline, 4wk, 8wk). SETTING: Subjects were evaluated in an outpatient hand therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-one subjects with mild to moderate CTS; 51 subjects completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: There were 4 groups: the neutral wrist and MCP group and the neutral wrist and MCP-exercise group received fabricated customized splints that supported the wrist and MCP joints; the wrist cock-up group and the wrist cock-up-exercise group received wrist cock-up splints. The neutral wrist and MCP-exercise and wrist cock-up-exercise groups also received tendon and nerve gliding exercises and were instructed to perform exercises 3 times a day. All subjects were instructed to wear the assigned splint every night for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used the CTS Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS) to assess CTS symptoms and functional status. RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed a significant main effect for splint and time on the SSS (P<.001, P=.014) and FSS (P<.001, P=.029), respectively. There were no interaction effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our results validate the use of wrist splints for the treatment of CTS, and suggest that a splint that supports the wrist and MCP joints in neutral may be more effective than a wrist cock-up splint.

Published 29 October 2007 in Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 88(11): 1429-35.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.