Effectiveness of prevention exercises protocol among office workers with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is common among office workers and limits functional hand ability and the ability to work. Carpal tunnel syndrome prevention programs implementation are still insufficient among office workers. In view of the fact that physical activity is the best method of preventing musculoskeletal complaints the aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention exercises protocol for hand and wrist pain among office workers.

Material and methods: Study group consists form 62 office workers, reporting complaints of hand and wrist pain. Exercise group it was 49 subjects who performed the exercise protocol and the non-exercise group consisted of 13 subjects. An exercises program, consisting of 7 exercises. The program was planned for daily routine during 8 weeks. The effectiveness of the exercise program was assessed by physical parameters (hand grip and pinch grip strength, force of forearm muscles) and questionnaires (Visual Analog Scale pain scale, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Functional Status Scale functional hand assessment questionnaires) were performed. Assessment was performed before and after the intervention.

Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed significant changes in the value of measured hand grip of the right hand (Z = -2.85, p < 0.01). For pinch grip, changes were significant for both the right (Z = -2.12, p < 0.05) and the left hands (Z = -2.35, p < 0.05). Functional performance improved significantly in bought groups. There was no statistically significant change in the intensity of experienced pain.

Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that performing a preventive exercise program regularly has an effect on increasing forearm muscle strength in a group of office workers. Office workers with symptoms of CTS who exercised regularly had higher results in hand grip and pincer grip strength. Exercises do not affect the level of pain complaints, which may indicate a more complex etiology of pain perception in this study group. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):45-57.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; functional ability; hand grip; office workers; pain; physical activity.

Figure 1.

Measurement position of a) hand grip strength, b) pincer grip strength, the Biomechanics Laboratory of Central Institute for Labor Protection – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland, 2021

Figure 2.

Measuring position during the measurement of muscular moments of a) supination and pronation of the forearm, and b) flexion and extension of the hand, the Biomechanics Laboratory of Central Institute for Labor Protection – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland, 2021

Figure 3.

Schematic of the measurement procedure during the test of the strength of the muscles of the supination and pronation of the forearm on the Biodex Multi-Joint System, the Biomechanics Laboratory of Central Institute for Labor Protection – National Research Institute, Warsaw, 2021