[ role of nerve and tendon gliding exercies in the conservative treat ment of carpal tunnel syndrome]

ABSTRACT

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] with mild to moderate severity can often be effectively treated by Non- Surgical Measures in a primary care environment. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of nerve and tendon gliding exercises in the treatment of CTS. In a prospective randomized controlled trial, 38 hands with the diagnosis of CTS were randomly divided to two groups. Both groups were prescribed to wear a Custom molded wrist splint. The patients in group 2 were also instructed to perfom nerve and tendon gliding exercises. Duration of treatment for both groups were 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated with clinical and electrophysiological parameters, symptom severity scale, and functional status scale. There was statistically significant improvement in all parameters in both groups, The Improvement in group 2 was slightly better, but the difference between the two groups was not significant [p<0.05]. Patient's satisfaction was investigated during the follow up period [5-8 months], A total of 11 [61.1%] of the patients in group land 13 [76.0%] of the patients in group 2 reported good or excellent results but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Conservative treatment in both groups was effective but without significant difference between them. Further studies with more patients and longer duration of follow up with clinical and electrophysiological parameters are recommended