ORIGINAL PAPER
Effectiveness of prevention exercises protocol among office workers with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
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1
Central Institute for Labor Protection – National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
(Department of Ergonomics)
2
Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
(Faculty of Rehabilitation)
Online publication date: 2024-02-09
Corresponding author
Anna Katarzyna Cygańska
Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Marymoncka 34,
00-968 Warsaw, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):45-57
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is common among office workers and limits functional hand ability and the ability to work. Carpal
tunnel syndrome prevention programs implementation are still insufficient among office workers. In view of the fact that physical activity is the best
method of preventing musculoskeletal complaints the aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention exercises protocol for hand
and wrist pain among office workers. Material and Methods: Study group consists form 62 office workers, reporting complaints of hand and wrist
pain. Exercise group it was 49 subjects who performed the exercise protocol and the non-exercise group consisted of 13 subjects. An exercises program,
consisting of 7 exercises. The program was planned for daily routine during 8 weeks. The effectiveness of the exercise program was assessed
by physical parameters (hand grip and pinch grip strength, force of forearm muscles) and questionnaires (Visual Analog Scale pain scale, Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome Symptom Severity Scale, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Functional Status Scale functional hand assessment questionnaires) were
performed. Assessment was performed before and after the intervention. Results: Statistical analysis of the data showed significant changes in
the value of measured hand grip of the right hand (Z = –2.85, p < 0.01). For pinch grip, changes were significant for both the right (Z = –2.12,
p < 0.05) and the left hands (Z = –2.35, p < 0.05). Functional performance improved significantly in bought groups. There was no statistically significant
change in the intensity of experienced pain. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that performing a preventive exercise program regularly
has an effect on increasing forearm muscle strength in a group of office workers. Office workers with symptoms of CTS who exercised regularly
had higher results in hand grip and pincer grip strength. Exercises do not affect the level of pain complaints, which may indicate a more complex
etiology of pain perception in this study group. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2024;37(1):45–57