Splinting in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The Optimal Duration

The purpose of this study was to evaluate optimal neutral wrist splint duration in treatment-naive mild and mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Neutral wrist splinting is a conservative treatment for CTS; however, no clear guidelines exist for how long splinting should be prescribed for optimal outcomes.

In this prospective clinical trial subjects were assigned to wear a neutral wrist splint for 6 (group A) or 12 weeks (group B). Symptom and functional outcomes were assessed by questionnaire at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Median nerve sensory and motor latencies were recorded at baseline and 12 weeks. Pretreatment, midtreatment, and posttreatment measures were compared within and between treatment groups where applicable. This study was approved by the United States Air Force Academy institutional review board.

A total of 30 subjects (37 hands) were randomized to 2 treatment groups. Mean symptom severity and median sensory peak latency significantly improved in both groups at 12 weeks, without a significant difference between groups. Mean functional severity significantly improved only in group A.

Neutral wrist splint for 6 weeks resulted in better clinical improvements in patients with untreated mild and mild to moderate CTS. There was no additional benefit in extending splinting 6 additional weeks. This is the first study to compare duration of wrist splint use beyond 8 weeks. A larger sample size is needed to identify the reason for lack of functional improvement in group B. Long-term follow-up of this cohort will be helpful to determine the natural history of initial wrist splint use.