Assessment of manual dysfunction in occupationally active women with carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate 2-point discrimination sense (2PD), strength and kinesthetic differentiation of strength (KDS), range of motion (ROM) and kinesthetic differentiation of movement (KDM) dysfunctions in occupationally active women with mild and moderate forms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to a healthy group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 2PD sense, muscle strength and KDS, as well as the ROM and KDM of the radiocarpal articulation were assessed.

RESULTS: The results of the 2PD sense assessment showed significantly higher values in all the examined fingers in the CTS women group compared to healthy women (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the percentage value of error in the strength and KDS of pincer and cylindrical grips (p < 0.01) in the CTS women group compared to healthy women. There was no difference in the ROM of flexion and extension between studied groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the percentage value of error in the KDM of flexion and extension movement of the radiocarpal articulation (p < 0.01) between the studied groups.

CONCLUSIONS: There are significant differences in the 2PD sense, KDS and KDM in occupationally active women with mild and moderate forms of CTS compared to healthy women. There are no significant differences in ROM in professionally active women with mild and moderate forms of CTS compared to healthy women. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(2):185-96.