A treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome: results of a follow-up study

Author(s): Fernandez, J., Dahalan, J., Marley, R.

Journal/Book: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 1993; 16(3): 125-139.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study was a follow-up evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) subjects based on objective and subjective measures utilizing a conservative treatment method. It was hypothesized that the CTS individuals would maintain their improvements over the course of a 6-mo period after treatments. DESIGN: The design used was a case control study in which the improvements of the CTS subjects were compared within themselves and with a matched comparison group. The treatments were performed at a private chiropractic clinic, and the objective and subjective measures were independently taken in an industrial engineering laboratory. All CTS subjects were volunteers from a random sample. Forty-three individuals were evaluated at the pretreatment period and in the 6-mo follow-up. Only 22 subjects returned for reevaluation. The treatment duration was not controlled. RESULTS: The results indicate that CTS subjects had maintained improvements in most of the objective measures and pain and distress ratings over the pretreatment level (p < .05) at 6 mo post-treatment. When compared to a matched comparison group, CTS-treated subjects demonstrated no significant differences (p < .05) in grip strength (for females), pinch strength, forearm pronation and supination forces, assembly task performance and pain and distress scores. CONCLUSION: The results of statistical analyses indicate that CTS subjects can be treated and achieve a significant recovery to within normal comparative levels of non-CTS subjects in most subjective and objective measures.

Keyword(s): Adult

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