Short-term clinical outcome of orthosis alone vs combination of orthosis, nerve, and tendon gliding exercises and ultrasound therapy for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Study design: Prospective randomized study.

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been described as the most common compression neuropathy. Many modalities exist for conservative treatment. Efficacy of each modality has been described in the literature. However, the effectiveness of combination of these modalities is not well established. The purpose of this study is to assess the short-term clinical outcome of conservative treatment for CTS comparing orthosis alone with combination of orthosis, nerve/tendon gliding exercises, and ultrasound therapy.

Methods: Forty-one patients who presented to Upper Limb Reconstructive and Microsurgery Clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre with CTS and positive electrodiagnostic study were recruited. Fifteen patients had bilateral CTS. Fifty-six wrists were equally randomized to orthosis alone and a combined therapy of orthosis, nerve/tendon gliding exercise, and ultrasound therapy. All patients were required to complete the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire during the first visit and 2 months after treatment.

Results: Both the orthosis and combined therapy groups showed a significant improvement in symptoms and function after treatment. The mean difference of symptoms in the orthosis group was 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.23-0.83 (P = .001) and in the combined therapy group was 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24-0.72 (P < .001). Mean difference of function in the orthosis group was 0.59; 95% CI: 0.28-0.91 (P = .001) and combined group was 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49-0.89 (P < .001). However, there was no significant difference in symptom severity and functional status scores between the groups.

Discussion: Our findings support other findings where orthosis and exercises improved symptom severity and functional status scores, however, there was no significant difference between orthosis alone and combined treatment.

Conclusion: Patients who underwent conservative management for CTS showed improvement in symptoms and function. However, the combination of orthosis, nerve/tendon gliding exercises, and ultrasound therapy did not offer additional benefit compared to orthosis alone.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Nerve gliding exercise; Orthotic intervention; Tendon gliding exercise; Ultrasound therapy.