A Critical Review of Literature Regarding Physical Therapy Management of Patients with Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Brotherton J., SPT; DeBey P., SPT; Smeed J., SPT; Francisco M., SPT
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed Kohia, PT, Ph.D., MS
Brotherton J., SPT; DeBey P., SPT; Smeed J., SPT; Francisco M., SPT
Faculty Mentor: Mohamed Kohia, PT, Ph.D., MS
Institution(s): Rockhurst University Department of Physical Therapy, Kansas City, MO
Purpose/Hypothesis: This review was intended to evaluate the existing literature regarding physical therapy management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and provide recommendations and clinical guidelines for physical therapy treatment of patients with CTS.
Subjects:
Methods/ Materials: A search of the literature was conducted using the keywords “carpal tunnel”, “physical therapy”, “intervention”, “treatment”, and various combinations of the above terms. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. Studies included in this review were original studies, peer-reviewed, published from 2000 to present day, written in English, and investigated conservative interventions for CTS. All studies were evaluated using Sackett’s levels of evidence as well as Megen and Harris’ criteria for the scientific rigor with 3 grades of clinical recommendations generated.
Results: Of the twenty-five studies that were critically appraised, sixteen studies were categorized as level I, seven studies categorized as level II, one study categorized as level III, and one study categorized as level V. Grade A recommendations were based off the level I studies, Grade B recommendations involved level II studies, and Grade C recommendations were made from the level III and IV studies. Eight of the articles reviewed met all seven criterion of scientific rigor indicating a high level of confidence.
Conclusions: Currently there is no consensus in the literature regarding an optimal physical therapy treatment approach, however, a combination of manual therapy, splinting, and acupuncture have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of CTS.
Funding Source: No additional sources of funding
Purpose/Hypothesis: This review was intended to evaluate the existing literature regarding physical therapy management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and provide recommendations and clinical guidelines for physical therapy treatment of patients with CTS.
Subjects:
Methods/ Materials: A search of the literature was conducted using the keywords “carpal tunnel”, “physical therapy”, “intervention”, “treatment”, and various combinations of the above terms. Databases searched included PubMed, Google Scholar, and EBSCO. Studies included in this review were original studies, peer-reviewed, published from 2000 to present day, written in English, and investigated conservative interventions for CTS. All studies were evaluated using Sackett’s levels of evidence as well as Megen and Harris’ criteria for the scientific rigor with 3 grades of clinical recommendations generated.
Results: Of the twenty-five studies that were critically appraised, sixteen studies were categorized as level I, seven studies categorized as level II, one study categorized as level III, and one study categorized as level V. Grade A recommendations were based off the level I studies, Grade B recommendations involved level II studies, and Grade C recommendations were made from the level III and IV studies. Eight of the articles reviewed met all seven criterion of scientific rigor indicating a high level of confidence.
Conclusions: Currently there is no consensus in the literature regarding an optimal physical therapy treatment approach, however, a combination of manual therapy, splinting, and acupuncture have demonstrated promising results in the treatment of CTS.
Funding Source: No additional sources of funding