The effectiveness of the median nerve neurodynamic mobilisation techniques in women with mild or moderate bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome: A single-blind clinical randomised trial.
Hassan Beddaa, Bouchra Kably, Basma Marzouk and 5 others
PMID 36483131WHAT IT FOUND
Median nerve gliding combined with carpal bone mobilisation reduced pain and improved hand function more than placebo joint mobilisation in women with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Both groups improved, but the neurodynamic approach showed greater gains in pain and function.
Key findings
01Pain intensity decreased significantly more in the neurodynamic mobilisation group than the placebo group at both 5 weeks and 10 weeks.
02Functional status improved significantly more in the neurodynamic mobilisation group than the placebo group at both 5 weeks and 10 weeks.
03While grip strength showed statistically significant differences between groups, the authors concluded the clinical difference was insufficient to recommend neurodynamic techniques specifically for improving grip strength.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study included only women, so results cannot be generalised to men with carpal tunnel syndrome. The trial was single-blind; while the assessor was blinded, the treating physiotherapist knew which wrist received the neurodynamic technique. There was no control group for natural history, so it is unclear how much improvement was due to the interventions versus time. The study did not include a long-term follow-up, so it is unknown if the benefits persist beyond 10 weeks.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that neurodynamic mobilisation is superior for grip strength. While statistically significant, the authors explicitly state that the clinical difference was insufficient to recommend these techniques specifically for improving grip strength.