Carpal tunnel syndrome impairs sustained precision pinch performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition affecting median nerve function.
• Fine motor control, crucial for daily tasks, can be compromised by neurological deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) on digit force control during sustained precision pinch tasks.
• To quantify changes in force accuracy, variability, and inter-digit coordination in individuals with CTS.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 11 individuals with CTS and 11 healthy controls.
• Participants performed a 60-second isometric precision pinch task with varying visual feedback conditions.
• Analysis of pinch force accuracy, variability, and inter-digit force correlation.

Main Results:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome significantly reduced force accuracy and increased force variability, particularly when visual feedback was absent (p<0.001).
• No significant differences were observed in the structure of force variability or inter-digit correlation between groups (p>0.05).
• The thumb exhibited less accurate and more variable force output compared to the index finger in both groups (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Sensorimotor deficits in CTS lead to inaccurate and unstable digit forces during sustained precision gripping.
• Findings enhance understanding of fine motor control mechanisms and inform CTS diagnosis and evaluation strategies.