Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Influence of a Comprehensive Exercise Program on its Prevalence in Denti

Background and objective

Dental health workers reported a high incidence of work related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMD). In dental professionals, hand/wrist complaints and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) are the most common distal upper extremity disorders in comparison with other human service workers. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a comprehensive exercise program as an ergonomic educational program for CTS in young dentists.

Subjects and methods

Eighty six dentists from both genders (41female and 27male) with age ranged from 29 to 40 years were selected according to self administered questionnaire covering personal, symptomatic and functional information. All dentists were suffering from CTS and were classified randomly into two equal groups. The study group received a comprehensive exercise program in the form of (active range of motion of the wrist\hand joints, stretching of the wrist flexors and extensors, tendon glides and strengthening exercises) five days per week with ten repetitions for each exercise for six weeks. The control group did not receive any treatment program unless wearing night splint when symptomatic. Pain intensity, hand grip and pinch strengths, symptom severity as well as functional status for both groups were evaluated before starting the study and after six weeks.

Results

The results revealed significant improvement in both groups regarding pain and functional scores. The improvement is more prominent in the group that treated with a comprehensive exercise program in comparison to the non exercise group. The results of the study group showed additional improvement in hand grip and pinch strengths.

Conclusion

The finding of this study reflects the importance of using comprehensive exercises in reducing the incidence of WRMD, particularly CTS in young dentist.