After that, EMG and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-11) were repeated to reveal the effects of splints on reducing pain, sensory and motor latency in CTS. Then, two different designs of splints were used for a period of three weeks.
Before receiving the splints, Electromyography (EMG) and Visual analog scale (VAS) were performed. Both groups received one form of splints for three weeks. The subjects were randomly divided into two equal groups.
Methods: In this Randomized controlled trial study, 30 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate CTS were recruited. With regard to the importance of these interventions and controversies about different designs of splints, the aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of volar wrist cock-up orthosis and dorsal lock wrist hand orthosis on pain, sensory and motor latency in carpal tunnel syndrome. Splinting is the most common conservative intervention to improve pain and enological symptom of this Syndrome (CTS).
Integrated numerical and textual data of professional skills and knowledge in actual splinting practice can be reflected through splints and orthoses program revisions to meet future learning outcomes.īackground: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy presenting with sharp pain, parenthesis, dysfunction of the hand in coordination and gripping. Perspectives and experiences of occupational therapists in splinting practice contribute to education based on the reality of practice. Three themes emerged from the interviews: starting with the patient condition effective function and value knowledge and experiential skills.
Bone and joint deformity prevention ranked first with muscle contracture prevention being ranked second, and the third-ranked was maintaining range of motion. The results showed that most conditions receiving splints were nerve injuries, orthopedics, and stroke, which represented the service frequency of splint types: functional resting (100%), cock-up (93.3%), and thumb spica splints (80%). Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were completed to explore expert occupational therapists' perspectives on practice in the same hospital settings. The questions were regarding contemporary hand splinting practices in clinical use at seven hospitals in the capital city of Bangkok and outskirt areas.
In the first quantitative phase, a survey questionnaire was mailed to occupational therapists. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. To bridge this gap, we investigated the perspectives and experiences of Thai occupational therapists regarding contemporary hand splinting practices in clinical use. A gap in knowledge about current splinting practice exists between the educational program and clinical service.