Chiroindex.org - Index To Chiropractic Literature

My ICL Sign In

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

For best results switch to Advanced Search.

Article Detail

Return to Search Results

18721

Title

The effects of active release technique on carpal tunnel patients: a pilot study [platform presentation; the Association of Chiropractic Colleges' Thirteenth Annual Conference, 2006]

URL

Journal

J Chiropr Educ. 2006 Spring;20(1):14-15

Author(s)

Subject(s)

Association of Chiropractic Colleges / congresses

Peer Review

Yes

Publication Type

Meeting Abstract

Abstract/Notes

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common nerve entrapment disorder affecting 1-3% of the general population. It has been estimated that direct medical costs associated with CTS in the United States will exceed $1 billion a year, with associated costs approaching $13 billion a year. In the Netherlands, 39% of neurologists prefer surgery over conservative care for the initial treatment of CTS. However; conservative care is still the preferred intervention for mild to moderate cases in the United States. The most common non-surgical treatments for CTS include wrist splints, exercise, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ultrasound, manipulation, acupuncture and myofascial release. The clinical utilization of myofascial therapies such as active release technique (ART) for CTS is common, although there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting such utilization. The purpose of this clinical pilot trial was to examine ART's effect on CTS patients using electromyography (EMG) and a valid self-administered outcome measure.

METHODS: This study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Logan College of Chiropractic. Five subjects (mean age 48) with physician diagnosed CTS were included in the trial. Subjects completed the Boston Questionnaire and an EMG examination prior to the first treatment. The Boston Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of symptom severity and functional status in CTS patients. The EMG analysis utilized surface electrodes placed on the flexor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum muscle bellies. Subjects were instructed to perform two maximum isometric contractions in wrist flexion and wrist extension as well as three repetitive active wrist flexions and wrist extensions. The EMG analysis was performed before and after the first treatment. Subjects were treated with active release technique using the median nerve protocol three times a week for two weeks. The Boston Questionnaire was re-administered following the final treatment. The mean scores for the initial and final symptom severity and functional status were calculated and compared using a paired samples t-test. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the mean contraction amplitudes of the flexor carpi radialis and extensor digitorum between the participants before and after the first active release treatment. An ANOVA was also used to compare mean contraction amplitudes for maximal flexion, maximal extension, repetitive flexion and repetitive extension. The a priori alpha level was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement in the mean symptom severity and functional status scores following the intervention (mean symptom severity pre 2.87±1.03, post 1.73±0.16, p=0.03), (mean functional status pre 2.63±0.89, post 1.48±0.32, p=0.02). There were no significant differences found in the EMG analyses.

DISCUSSION: Our population of CTS participants showed significant improvements in both symptom severity and functional status following the two-week treatment intervention. This improvement in the Boston Questionnaire scores is clinically relevant because of the questionnaire's responsiveness to clinical change. The EMG analyses showed no significant changes in flexor carpi radialis or extensor digitorum contraction amplitudes following the single active release treatment. The limitations in this trial included the lack of control, the small sample size and the absence of a follow-up measurement to determine if symptom severity and functional status improvements were maintained. The preliminary data from this clinical pilot trial suggest that active release technique may be an effective conservative management strategy for CTS patients. These results support the need for more quality clinical research in this area.

This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher.

Text (Citation) Tagged (Export) Excel

Email To
Subject
Message
Format	HTML Text Excel

To use this feature you must register a personal account in My ICL. Registration is free! In My ICL you can save your ICL searches in My Searches, and you can save search results in My Collections. Be sure to use the Held Citations feature to collect citations from an entire search session. Read more search tips.

Sign Into Existing My ICL Account | Register A New My ICL Account