Dataset Information

The effectiveness of manual therapy on pain, physical function, and nerve conduction studies in carpal tunnel syndrome patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Aim of the study

Systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of manual therapy in improving carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms, physical function, and nerve conduction studies.

Method

MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, TRIP database, and PEDro databases were searched from the inception to September 2021. PICO search strategy was used to identify randomized controlled trials applying manual therapy on patients with CTS. Eligible studies and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. Methodology quality and risk of bias were assessed by PEDro scale. Outcomes assessed were pain intensity, physical function, and nerve conduction studies.

Results

Eighty-one potential studies were identified and six studies involving 401 patients were finally included. Pain intensity immediately after treatment showed a pooled standard mean difference (SMD) of - 2.13 with 95% confidence interval (CI) (- 2.39, - 1.86). Physical function with Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTS-Q) showed a pooled SMD of - 1.67 with 95% CI (- 1.92, - 1.43) on symptoms severity, and a SMD of - 0.89 with 95% CI (- 1.08, - 0.70) on functional status. Nerve conduction studies showed a SMD of - 0.19 with 95% CI (- 0.40, - 0.02) on motor conduction and a SMD of - 1.15 with 95% CI (- 1.36, - 0.93) on sensory conduction.

Conclusions

This study highlights the effectiveness of manual therapy techniques based on soft tissue and neurodynamic mobilizations, in isolation, on pain, physical function, and nerve conduction studies in patients with CTS.

SUBMITTER: Jimenez-Del-Barrio S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8782801 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundNerve conduction study (NCS) is the only useful test for objective assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, the relationship between pre- and postoperative NCS and clinical outcomes was unclear. This study aimed to determine whether pre- and postoperative (6 months) NCS could predict patient-oriented and motor outcomes (6 and 12 months postoperatively) in patients with CTS.MethodOf the 85 patients with CTS, 107 hands were analyzed from March 2011 to March 2020. All patients underwent open carpal tunnel release and were examined using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and grip strength (GS) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Moreover, NCS was examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Distal motor latency (DML) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) were the parameters used for NCS. The correlation coefficient between NCS and DASH or GS was calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to determine the NCS threshold value to predict DASH and GS improvement.ResultsThe average scores of GS preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 21.3, 22.3, and 22.8, respectively. On the other hand, the average scores of DASH preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 28.8, 18.3, and 12.2, respectively. The average NCS scores (DML and SCV) preoperatively/6 months postoperatively were 7.3/5.4 and 27.8/36.7, respectively. Preoperative NCS did not correlate with DASH and GS. Postoperative SCV correlated with the change in grip strength (6-12 months, r = 0.67; 0-12 months, r = 0.60) and DASH (0-12 months, r = 0.77). Moreover, postoperative DML correlated with the change in DASH (6-12 months, r = - 0.33; 0-12 months, r = - 0.59). The prediction for the improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 50.0%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/100%, at an SCV cutoff score of 38.5/45.0 or above. The prediction for improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 83.3%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/66.7% at a DML cutoff score of 4.4/4.4 or below.ConclusionNCS at 6 months postoperatively can be used to predict the improvement of clinical outcome after 6 months postoperatively in patients with CTS.

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