title: Comparison of the efficacy of a neutral wrist splint and a wrist splint incorporating a lumbrical unit for the treatment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different types of splints have been used as a conservative intervention to improve symptoms in patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although a number of studies have been undertaken to compare different splints, information and understanding of the influence of these interventions are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a classic thermoplastic wrist splint or a wrist splint with an additional metacarpophalangeal unit on pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength in patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 24 patients received conservative treatment using either the classic wrist splint or the wrist splint with the metacarpophalangeal unit for a period of 6 weeks. Primary outcome measures were pain, function, grip strength, and pinch strength. Data were collected immediately before and after using the two types of splints at baseline (0 weeks) and 6 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test and an independent t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to baseline, both the classic thermoplastic wrist splint and the wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit significantly decreased pain and increased function, pinch strength, and grip strength. Comparisons of the two types of splints for grip strength (P = 0.675) and pinch strength (P = 0.650) revealed that there were no significant differences between the two after 6 weeks of wear. However, there were significant differences in pain levels (P = 0.022) and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score (P = 0.027) between the two types of splints from baseline to 6 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit was more effective than the classic thermoplastic wrist splint in pain reduction and improvement of function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A wrist splint with a metacarpophalangeal unit may be an appropriate conservative treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Batol
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Golriz
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Monireh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadi Bani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran M.Arazpour@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mokhtar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arazpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahramizadeh
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.affiliation: Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Pezhman
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Madani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Social Care Research (IHSCR), Faculty of Health & Social Care, University of Salford, Manchester, Salford, UK.
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hutchins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D052581:Pinch Strength; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013165:Splints; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Neutral wrist splint; carpal tunnel syndrome; function; grip strength; pain; pinch strength; wrist splint with metacarpophalangeal unit