Analyzing the therapeutic effects of short wrist splint in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) under ibuprofen treatment from an EMG-NCV perspective

Objective: Carpal tunnel symptoms are typical outside nerve involvement and a significant reason of inability. This syndrome often causes weakness and pain in the affected hand. Therefore, the researchers decided to perform a study that aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Wrist Splint (short wrist splint) in patients admitted to the neurology clinic of Vali Asr Hospital of Birjand with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) under ibuprofen treatment from an EMG-NCV perspective. Methods: This clinical trial was performed on patients admitted to the neurology clinic of Vali Asr Hospital during the spring and summer of 2013. The participants of the study were classified into two teams. The initial team of cases went under medical treatment with ibuprofen (800 mg BID for 4-6 weeks) and the second group of patients went under medical care with ibuprofen (800 mg BID for 4-6 weeks) with a short wrist splint. Results: 40 cases participated in the research. The mean age of participants was 32/ 75 ± 4/ 33 years (range 20 to 48 years), respectively. Most of the participants were females (n = 30, 75% respectively). The mean score, latency and velocity between the two groups were mainly distinct (respectively p = 0.05, 0.001, and 0.003). There were significant differences between amplitude before the start of the study (p = 0.000) among the participants. Discussion: The results showed that patients treated with ibuprofen and wrist splint along the para-clinics presented a better response to treatment.