Graded Motor Imagery in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Browse trials for

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 588
• Motor Activity 2,385

Keywords

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• wrist joint
• exercise
• hand strength
• physical functional performance

Study arms

• Experimental
  Graded Motor Imagery

  Each patient in the Graded Motor Imagery group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of Graded Motor Imagery, progressive neurodynamic exercises, and nighttime resting splints.

  Other: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) · Other: Progressive Neurodynamic Exercise · Other: Nighttime Resting Splint

• Active comparator
  Progressive Neurodynamic Exercises

  Each patient in the progressive neurodynamic exercises group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of progressive neurodynamic exercises and nighttime resting splints.

  Other: Progressive Neurodynamic Exercise · Other: Nighttime Resting Splint

Interventions

• OtherGraded Motor Imagery (GMI)

  GMI includes three stages. GMI program will span over 6 weeks. The first 2 weeks will focus on lateralization, followed by 2 weeks of motor imagery, and the final 2 weeks will involve mirror therapy. Lateralization: Patients will be asked to differentiate whether the hands shown in the Recognise™ Hand application belongs to the right or left side of their body. Motor Imagery: Patients will be instructed to imagine slowly and smoothly moving their affected extremities to the posture depicted in the photos in the Recognise™ Hand application and then returning to the starting position. Mirror Therapy: Using a mirror measuring 300 x 300 x 300 mm³ placed between the upper extremities, patients will be instructed to progressively move only their unaffected extremity, then their affected extremity, and finally both extremities.

• OtherProgressive Neurodynamic Exercise

  The progressive neurodynamic exercises involved holding each position for 5 seconds. Each session included two sets of 10 repetitions (2×10). The treatment lasted for 30-minute sessions, conducted twice weekly over a total of 6 weeks.

• OtherNighttime Resting Splint

  The night splint was fitted with a wrist splint that keeps the wrist in a neutral position, permits finger flexion, maintains the wrist within a 0°-5° extension range, and ends just distal to the distal palmar crease.

Primary outcomes

1. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)

   DASH is a 30-item self-report tool assessing upper-extremity disability and symptoms, including daily activities, pain, numbness, joint stiffness, weakness, sleep issues, and psychological effects. Examples include turning a doorknob, changing a light bulb, and cutting food. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms and impairment.

   Time frame: Baseline

2. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)

   DASH is a 30-item self-report tool assessing upper-extremity disability and symptoms, including daily activities, pain, numbness, joint stiffness, weakness, sleep issues, and psychological effects. Examples include turning a doorknob, changing a light bulb, and cutting food. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms and impairment.

   Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

Secondary outcomes

1. Mini Mental State Examination

   The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to assess the cognitive status of patients. It consists of 11 questions and is evaluated on a scale of 30 points. A score between 24-30 is considered normal, 18-23 indicates mild cognitive impairment, and a score of 17 or below is indicative of severe dementia. The MMSE assesses orientation, memory, attention, calculation, recall, language, motor function, perception, and visuospatial abilities.

   Time frame: Baseline

2. Mini Mental State Examination

   The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to assess the cognitive status of patients. It consists of 11 questions and is evaluated on a scale of 30 points. A score between 24-30 is considered normal, 18-23 indicates mild cognitive impairment, and a score of 17 or below is indicative of severe dementia. The MMSE assesses orientation, memory, attention, calculation, recall, language, motor function, perception, and visuospatial abilities.

   Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

3. Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ)

   A patient-reported assessment uses a 5-point Likert scale with two subscales: the 11-item Symptom Severity Scale (CTSQ-S) for symptom intensity like numbness and pain, and the 8-item Functional Status Scale (CTSQ-F) for ADL ability such as writing and dressing. Higher scores mean more severe symptoms and impairment. The BCTQ shows high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to clinical changes.

   Time frame: Baseline

4. Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ)

   A patient-reported assessment uses a 5-point Likert scale with two subscales: the 11-item Symptom Severity Scale (CTSQ-S) for symptom intensity like numbness and pain, and the 8-item Functional Status Scale (CTSQ-F) for ADL ability such as writing and dressing. Higher scores mean more severe symptoms and impairment. The BCTQ shows high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to clinical changes.

   Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

5. The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test

   The assessment used a monofilament test (0.49-0.96), known for high sensitivity in diagnosing CTS. Sensory thresholds were checked at the radial tips of the thumbs, index, middle, and ring fingers. The monofilament was applied perpendicularly to the dorsal finger pads with eyes closed and the wrist in a neutral position. Pressure was applied for 1 to 1.5 seconds until slight bending of the filament. Lower readings indicate better sensory function; higher readings suggest worse light touch perception. A gauge of 2.83 grams is the normal threshold, while 3.22 grams or higher indicates moderate-to-severe sensory impairment in CTS.

   Time frame: Baseline

6. The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test

   The assessment used a monofilament test (0.49-0.96), known for high sensitivity in diagnosing CTS. Sensory thresholds were checked at the radial tips of the thumbs, index, middle, and ring fingers. The monofilament was applied perpendicularly to the dorsal finger pads with eyes closed and the wrist in a neutral position. Pressure was applied for 1 to 1.5 seconds until slight bending of the filament. Lower readings indicate better sensory function; higher readings suggest worse light touch perception. A gauge of 2.83 grams is the normal threshold, while 3.22 grams or higher indicates moderate-to-severe sensory impairment in CTS.

   Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

7. Purdue Pegboard Test

   The Purdue Pegboard consists of 50 holes in two columns, with pins, washers, and sleeves in four recesses at the top. Patients sat in front of the apparatus and performed four tests: the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, two-hand, and assembly test. For the hand tests, they inserted pins into holes with their hands for 30 seconds each; the two-hand test used both hands. In the assembly test, they placed materials in order: pin → washer → collars → washer within 60 seconds. Each test was repeated three times, and scores were averaged. This test assesses fine motor skills, coordination, finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and small object manipulation; lower scores indicate poorer hand skills.

   Time frame: Baseline

8. Purdue Pegboard Test

   The Purdue Pegboard consists of 50 holes in two columns, with pins, washers, and sleeves in four recesses at the top. Patients sat in front of the apparatus and performed four tests: the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, two-hand, and assembly test. For the hand tests, they inserted pins into holes with their hands for 30 seconds each; the two-hand test used both hands. In the assembly test, they placed materials in order: pin → washer → collars → washer within 60 seconds. Each test was repeated three times, and scores were averaged. This test assesses fine motor skills, coordination, finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and small object manipulation; lower scores indicate poorer hand skills.

   Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

9. The Two-Point Discrimination Test

   The two-point discrimination threshold was evaluated using an esthesiometer applied to the pulp of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. During the evaluation, participants' eyes remained closed, and light stimuli, consisting of either one or two points, were randomly presented along the longitudinal axis of the fingers. The procedure began at a distance of 5 mm, with 10 trials conducted at each specified interval. If the participant failed to achieve at least seven correct responses, the distance was increased by 1 mm, and the test was repeated. The discrimination threshold was defined as the smallest distance at which at least seven out of ten responses were correct. Testing was discontinued at a maximum distance of 15 mm, with values below 6 mm considered within normal limits.

   Time frame: Baseline

10. The Two-Point Discrimination Test

    The two-point discrimination threshold was evaluated using an esthesiometer applied to the pulp of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. During the evaluation, participants' eyes remained closed, and light stimuli, consisting of either one or two points, were randomly presented along the longitudinal axis of the fingers. The procedure began at a distance of 5 mm, with 10 trials conducted at each specified interval. If the participant failed to achieve at least seven correct responses, the distance was increased by 1 mm, and the test was repeated. The discrimination threshold was defined as the smallest distance at which at least seven out of ten responses were correct. Testing was discontinued at a maximum distance of 15 mm, with values below 6 mm considered within normal limits.

    Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

11. Grip Strength

    Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. The participant sat comfortably with shoulder abducted, elbow at 90°, and forearm neutral. The wrist was between 0° and 30° extension. Each hand was tested three times with one-minute rests, and the average was recorded.

    Time frame: Baseline

12. Grip Strength

    Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. The participant sat comfortably with shoulder abducted, elbow at 90°, and forearm neutral. The wrist was between 0° and 30° extension. Each hand was tested three times with one-minute rests, and the average was recorded.

    Time frame: After the 6-week intervention

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No