title: Effects of exercise on carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms.
abstract: This is a study of whether participation in an exercise programme for increasing upper extremity flexibility, strength, and circulation has any effects on symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Two groups (exercise and control) of seven participants each who did repetitive hand motion tasks were studied. The exercise group participated in daily arm, hand, and other upper-extremity exercises for 8 weeks. The control group did not participate in the exercise programme. Dependent (response) variables monitored were motor nerve conduction latency through the carpal tunnel, grip strength, and subjective comfort in the dominant hands of participants. Test results indicated no statistically significant differences in nerve conduction latency or subjective comfort between the two groups. Significant differences did develop in grip strengths over time, suggesting that the exercise group may have benefited physiologically from the exercise programme.
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, 207 Dunstan Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5346, USA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Butterfield
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Hool
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Herrick