Effect of Sensory Relearning on Sensory and Motor Functions of the Hand in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
1Youssef M. Elbalawy, Ebtesam M. Fahmy, Shreen I. Taha, Abdel El- Hamied I. El Sherbini, Abdelrhman I. Abdelghany and Hager R. El-Serougy
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the commonest type of entrapment neuropathies caused by compression of the median nerve compression as it passes through the carpal tunnel. Aim: To investigate the effect of somatosensory relearning on sensory and motor functions of the hand in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-two female patients, with CTS, aged 20-50 years participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to two equal groups: Group I (experimental group) received sensory relearning in addition to a standard physical therapy program and Group II (control group) received standard physical therapy program consisting of traditional therapeutic exercises only. Assessment was done pre- and post-treatment using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) test to measure the sensory threshold and handheld dynamometer to measure grip strength of the affected hand. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in sensory threshold of the affected hand in group (I) post-treatment. In addition, there was a statistically significant increase in grip strength of the affected hand in both groups post-treatment. Comparison between groups revealed a significant difference in the measured parameters post treatment in favor of group I. Conclusion: Sensory relearning is effective in improving sensory threshold and grip strength of the affected hand when added to the standard physical therapy program in patients with CTS.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Strength, Sensation, Sensory Relearning, Physical Therapy.