A COMPARISION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEURODYNAMICS VERSUS NERVE AND TENDON GLIDING EXERCISES ALONE FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of full neurodynamics versus nerve and tendon gliding exercises alone in patients of carpal tunnel syndrome by subjective and electrodiagnostic studies.Study Design: Single bknded randomized controlled trial.Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabihtation Sciences, Rawalpindi, from Aug 2015 to Jan 2016.Patients and Methods: Mild to moderate carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients (n=27) diagnosed on (NCS) nerve conduction studies were selected by non-probability purposive sampling then randomly allocated in two groups i.e, control and experimental by sealed envelope method. Data was collected by using Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire; symptom severity scale, functional status scale and quick disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand score. Control was given nerve tendon glidmg exercises with electrotherapy (TENS, ultra-sound), while experimental group received additional neurodynamics on alternate days for 4 weeks.Results: Mean age of population was found to be 45.36 ± 12.36 years. CTS was found to be more prevalent in females 20 (90.9%) than in males 2 (9.1%). No significant improvement was observed in functional status scale, quick DASH and nerve conduction studies (p-valu('>0.05) although experimental group showed more improvement than control. In contrast, symptom severity scale showed significant improvements between the groups with p-value