The effects of orthotic intervention on nerve conduction and functional outcome in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A prospective follow-up study

• Published in: Journal of hand therapy Vol. 28; no. 1; pp. 34 - 38
• Main Authors: Celik, Berna, MD, Paker, Nurdan, MD, Celik, Evrim Coskun, MD, Bugdayci, Derya Soy, MD, Ones, Kadriye, MD, Ince, Nurhan, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 2015; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Action Potentials; Adult; Aged; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - physiopathology; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - therapy; Elbow; Electrodes; Electromyography; Electrophysiology; Female; Functional outcome; Humans; Male; Median Nerve - physiopathology; Middle Aged; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neural Conduction; Orthosis; Orthotic Devices; Patients; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Prospective Studies; Standard deviation; Studies; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Electrophysiology; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Orthosis; Functional outcome
• ISSN: 0894-1130; 1545-004X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2014.07.008

Abstract Aim To evaluate the effects of using night orthosis for 6 weeks in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including a follow up after 3 months using electrophysiological and functional outcome measurements. Study design 12 week follow-up prospective study. Methods Twenty-two patients with a total of 36 hands diagnosed as CTS were included. Subjects were informed about using a night orthosis for 6 weeks and were evaluated at the baseline, 6th and 12th week. Results Median motor distal latency was significantly decreased and median motor compound muscle action potential was significantly increased at the 6th week. Median sensory velocity was significantly increased at the 12th week. No significant difference was found in terms of functional outcome measurements. Conclusion Electrophysiological follow-up findings support the positive effects of using a wrist orthosis on median nerve conduction for CTS patients.