Effectiveness of Wrist Splint in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common form of peripheral entrapment neuropathy. There are  several methods of treatment including wrist splint. This research had aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of  wrist splint in carpal tunnel syndrome. This study was conducted during July 2014-April 2017 at the Out- Patient Department of Prasat Neurological Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 106 patients with clinically  and electrophysiologically nerve conduction study (NCS), confirmed idiopathic CTS were divided into two  groups of wrist splint group (treated group, 51 patients) and medication group (controlled group, 56  patients). Patients were evaluated at onset prior to intervention and at 6 months. The primary outcomes  measure changes in scores of Thai version Boston Carpal Tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ) and the secondary  outcomes were measured by changes in Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) and severity according to  neurophysiological classification. The results showed that, at the endpoint of this study after re-evaluation at  six months follow up both groups showed a significant reduction in symptomatic BCTQ, treated group (from  3.4 to 2.8; p < 0.001) and controlled group (from 3.0 to 2.4; p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in nerve conduction study measurement, but overall neurological severity classification improved to less severe  classes significantly in both groups (p < 0.001). Surgery was significantly performed in controlled group more  than treated group (1 case (2%) vs 8 cases (14.5%) with p-value 0.032). The study demonstrates that both  wrist splint and medication are highly effective in relieving symptoms in CTS however wrist splint can  significantly decrease turn rate to surgery