title: Outcomes following the conservative management of patients with non-radicular peripheral neuropathic pain.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective cohort.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is limited evidence for conservative management of patients with non-radicular peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of a comprehensive treatment approach on pain and disability in patients with non-radicular PNP and to determine if improvements are maintained following the discontinuation of therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients received a multi-modal therapeutic intervention. Outcome measures were the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QDASH), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and grip strength. Follow-up data were collected 5 ± 2 months post-discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant improvement in the QDASH and mean pain (p < .001). There was no significant change in grip strength (p > .13). Follow-up data suggest that pain and disability scores are maintained (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive, conservative treatment program has a positive and lasting effect on pain and disability scores in patients with non-radicular PNP.
  
  
  METHODS
  IIIa.
authors.affiliation: Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, University of South Alabama, HAHN 2011, 5721 USA Drive N, Mobile, AL 36688-0002, USA. Electronic address: josephday@southalabama.edu.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Day
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Hand & Physical Therapy, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willoughby
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Hand & Physical Therapy, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Donald Greg
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Hand & Physical Therapy, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCallum
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Hand & Physical Therapy, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Foister
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Tim L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Uhl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Cubital tunnel syndrome; Distal; Multiple nerve compression; Proximal