Conservative Physiotherapy Management and Evaluation of Pain Measurement Responsiveness of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Abstract
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy that negatively impacts hand function and quality of life. This thesis includes two studies addressing key gaps in the conservative management and outcome measurement of CTS. The first is an overview of systematic reviews examining non-biophysical conservative interventions—including orthoses, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and assistive technologies. Twenty-six reviews were critically appraised using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Exercise and splinting demonstrated the most consistent benefits, although the methodological quality of included reviews was often low. The second study is a retrospective observational analysis comparing the responsiveness of the PROMIS Pain Interference Short Form 6a (PISF) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) in post-operative CTS patients. While both measures captured statistically significant changes, NPRS demonstrated greater responsiveness and efficiency in detecting short-term improvement. Collectively, the findings contribute to evidence-informed clinical decision-making and support the use of appropriate outcome measures in CTS rehabilitation.