Effects of mirror therapy on pain, sensitivity and functionality in patients with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Randomised control trial

Purpose: To investigate the effects of mirror therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) with the unaffected hand, on pain, sensitivity and functionality in individuals with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. Thirty-nine adult...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Munoz-Gomez, Elena, Aguilar-Rodriguez, Marta, Ingles, Marta, Molla-Casanova, Sara, Sempere-Rubio, Nuria, Serra-Ano, Pilar
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:INCLIVA
Repository:r-INCLIVA. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de INCLIVA
OAI Identifier:oai:incliva.fundanetsuite.com:p17801
Online Access:https://incliva.portalinvestigacion.com/publicaciones/17801
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Carpal tunnel syndrome
pain
mirror therapy
cross-education effect
unaffected-hand training
Description
Summary:Purpose: To investigate the effects of mirror therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) with the unaffected hand, on pain, sensitivity and functionality in individuals with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out. Thirty-nine adults with unilateral CTS were included and randomly allocated to a six-week training programme based on MT (n = 20) or TE (n = 19). Visual Analogue Scale, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, Two-point discrimination (2PD), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) were assessed before (T0) and after the intervention (T1), and at one-month follow-up (T2).Results: At T1, MT and TE showed significant improvements in pain (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively), however, only MT maintained the achieved effects at T2 (p = 0.01). In addition, 2PD significantly improved in MT in the first (p = 0.04) and fourth fingers (p = 0.02) at T1. The DASH score decreased at T1 in MT (p < 0.001) and TE (p = 0.01). Additionally, the BCTQ score improved in MT (p < 0.001), and TE (p < 0.001) at T1. The effects were maintained at T2 for DASH and BCTQ scores.Conclusions: Training of the unaffected hand resulted in a significant improvement of the affected hand in both groups; nevertheless, MT achieved a longer duration of the effects.