The Effectiveness of Limited Dynamic Wrist Splints on the Symptoms, Function, and Strength of Women with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Controlled Trial Study
Background: Splinting is the most common conservative method of treating patients with mild and moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the limited dynamic wrist splint on the symptoms, function, and strength of women with CTS. In this co...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jrsr.sums.ac.ir/index.php/jrsr/article/view/162 |
| Summary: | Background: Splinting is the most common conservative method of treating
patients with mild and moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The aim of
this study was to determine the effectiveness of the limited dynamic wrist splint
on the symptoms, function, and strength of women with CTS. In this controlled
trial study, the subjects wore a splint of a new design called the “limited dynamic
wrist splint”, which allowed the wrist motion in the range (between 15-degree
flexion and 15-degree extension) that exerts minimum pressure on the median
nerve and prevents extra pressure on the nerve by limiting the range of motions
out of the allowed range.
Methods: In this study, 24 women diagnosed with mild to moderate CTS were
initially evaluated on the basis of the Boston questionnaire, the dexterity test
of the Purdue pegboard, grip and pinch strength, distal sensory latency, and
sensory nerve conduction velocity. The subjects were randomly divided into
two groups, control and treatment. Both groups received routine rehabilitation
treatment for six weeks. The treatment group received the limited dynamic wrist
splint for about six to eight hours a day. After six weeks, the initial examinations
were repeated. The SPSS-16, independent t, and paired t-tests were used for data
analysis.
Results: All the variables in the treatment and the control groups showed
improvement. The function test of the Boston questionnaire, the Purdue
pegboard test, and the pinch strength were significantly improved in the
treatment group. The “severity of the symptoms” test of the Boston questionnaire
and the pinch strength in the control group showed a statistically significant
difference (P < 0.05). In a comparison of the two groups, the function test of the
Boston questionnaire showed a significant difference.
Conclusion: This study showed that the use of the limited dynamic wrist splint
for about six weeks for six to eight hours a day could have a significant effect on
the function, dexterity, and the pinch strength of patients with CTS. Not only
can the patients receive treatment by this method, but they can also perform
their daily activities to some extent. |
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| ISSN: | 2345-6159 2345-6159 |