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Effect of Lumbrical Stretching on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Interventions
Other: Lumbrical splint and Lumbrical exercises
Registration Number
NCT00803257
Lead Sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Brief Summary

Symptoms of CTS occur when any condition decreases the size of the carpal canal or increases the volume of the structures within the carpal canal, compressing the median nerve. One cause of the symptoms of CTS is the incursion of the lumbrical muscles of the hand into the carpal canal. Individuals with CTS tend to have tight lumbrical muscles which increase this incursion, thereby increasing CTS symptoms. An intervention designed to reduce the incursion of the lumbrical muscles should have an effect on the symptoms of CTS.

The purpose of this study is to systematically examine the effect of an intensive lumbrical muscle intervention, splinting to prevent lumbrical muscle incursion and lumbrical muscle exercises, on the symptoms of CTS. This project will be a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a home program targeting the lumbrical muscles. One hundred and twenty subjects will be assigned to one of 4 groups: Group 1 will receive a home program of lumbrical muscle stretches combined with a lumbrical positioning splint; Group 2 will receive a home program of lumbrical muscle stretches combined with a night wrist cock-up splint; Group 3 will receive a home program of general stretches combined with a lumbrical positioning splint; and Group 4 will receive a home program of general stretches combined with a night wrist cock-up splint. After 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months the groups will be compared to determine if there is a significant reduction in symptoms between the groups.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
124
Inclusion Criteria
  • At least 18 yo
  • Clinical symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
  • Positive Tinel's, Phalen's, or Durkin's test
  • Absence of thenar atrophy
  • 2 pt discrimination of 5mm or less
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Persons needing immediate CTS surgery
  • Pregnancy
  • Compressive neuropathy in the ipsilateral arm
  • Diabetes
  • prior CTS release
  • Non-English speaking
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
FACTORIAL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1Lumbrical splint and Lumbrical exercisesLumbrical splint and lumbrical stretches
2Lumbrical splint and Lumbrical exercisesLumbrical Splint and regular exercises
3Lumbrical splint and Lumbrical exercisesRegular splint and lumbrical exercises
4Lumbrical splint and Lumbrical exercisesRegular splint and regular exercises
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptom Severity and Functional Status Scale (CTS-SSFS)1 month
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pittsburgh

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

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