title: A vertical mouse and ergonomic mouse pads alter wrist position but do not reduce carpal tunnel pressure in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: Non-neutral wrist positions and external pressure leading to increased carpal tunnel pressure during computer use have been associated with a heightened risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This study investigated whether commonly used ergonomic devices reduce carpal tunnel pressure in patients with CTS. Carpal tunnel pressure was measured in twenty-one patients with CTS before, during and after a computer mouse task using a standard mouse, a vertical mouse, a gel mouse pad and a gliding palm support. Carpal tunnel pressure increased while operating a computer mouse. Although the vertical mouse significantly reduced ulnar deviation and the gel mouse pad and gliding palm support decreased wrist extension, none of the ergonomic devices reduced carpal tunnel pressure. The findings of this study do therefore not endorse a strong recommendation for or against any of the ergonomic devices commonly recommended for patients with CTS. Selection of ergonomic devices remains dependent on personal preference.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Annina B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kubler
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Venerina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.affiliation: Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Faculty of Human Movement Sciences, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.coppieters@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Michel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Coppieters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011312:Pressure; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Computer use; Ergonomic workplace