The Effect of a new dorsal wrist splinting on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome based on the median motor nerve conduction measurements

BACKGROUND Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies of upper extremity. This study compared the efficacy of a new dorsal wrist splinting versus commonly prescribed palmar splinting in CTS (both in neutral position) and evaluated the value of the motor nerve conduction measurement as a prognostic indicator for CTS. MATERIALS & METHODS: This was a single blind Randomized control trial study which was carried out in 22 idiopathic CTS patients. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: Dorsal Splint group (N=12) and palmar splint group (N=10). Subjects in both groups wore these two kinds of splints for 4 weeks. Motor conduction pertaining to median nerve was evaluated in two different points of time: at the beginning of study for determining the baseline and at 4 weeks follow-up. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, independent T test and paired T test were used for statistical analysis of data. Analyses were conducted with SPSS (16) RESULTS: After four weeks, median nerve motor distal latency and conduction velocity improved significantly in both groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups due to motor electro physiologic improvement. CONCLUSION: Four weeks after initiation of study, significant electro physiologic improvement was observed in both study groups. Comparing the efficacy of the two treatment methods, it became evident that motor neurophysiologic improvement was equal with both splints in neutral position of wrist. KEY WORDS: Carpal tunnel syndrome, splinting, nerve conduction study