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. 2024 Jun 13:15589447241257647.
doi: 10.1177/15589447241257647. Online ahead of print.

Comparison of the Effects of Volar-Assisted and Elastic Wrist Splints on Edema, Pain, Grip Strength, and Functionality in Pregnant Women With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Funda Mete Cavus  1 , Cagtay Maden  2 , Begumhan Turhan  3
Affiliations

Comparison of the Effects of Volar-Assisted and Elastic Wrist Splints on Edema, Pain, Grip Strength, and Functionality in Pregnant Women With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Funda Mete Cavus et al. Hand (N Y). .

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common musculoskeletal problem in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of rigid and elastic wrist splints on edema, pain levels, grip strength, and upper-extremity functionality in pregnant women with CTS.

Methods: Forty-one pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy who were diagnosed with CTS were included in the study. The grip strength was evaluated with the Jamar hand dynamometer, functionality with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, pain with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and edema with the water overflow method.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 31.71 ± 5.78 years, body mass index was 28.85 ± 3.63 kg/m2, duration of pain was 2.24 ± 0.79 months, and their pain intensity was 6.63 ± 1.69 according to the VAS. As a result of the study, reductions in pain (P = .001), increases in functionality values (P = .001), increases in grip strength (P = .001), and decreases in edema (P = .001) were observed in both groups after the treatment. However, there was no significant difference in pain, functionality, or grip strength values between the groups after the treatment (P > .05).

Conclusion: In this study comparing the effects of a wrist splint to those of an elastic splint, both treatment methods for pregnant women with CTS decreased pain and edema, increased grip strength, and improved upper-extremity functionality. Considering individual needs, characteristics, and living conditions, both splints can be recommended for pregnant women with CTS.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; functionality; hand strength; pain; pregnancy; splints; upper extremity; wrist.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart diagram of the study.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(a) Elastic splint. (b) Volar-assisted splint.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Comparison of intergroup and intragroup values of VAS, Q-DASH, BCTQ, grip strength, and volumetric measurements. Note. VAS = Visual Analog Scale; Q-DASH = Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; BCTQ = Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire; BT = before treatment; AT = after treatment; GS = grip strength; VM = volumetric measurement.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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