Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies, and
there is no consensus on the preferred method of treatment. Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of hand exercise performed with
a ball on symptoms and to evaluate the results in hemodialysis (HD) patients with
CTS. Settings and Design: This study was conducted in patients with HD who were treated in dialysis centers
and state hospitals in Turkey between 2011 and 2012. Subjects and Methods: This study included 19 patients (28 hands) that were diagnosed as CTS. For exercise
treatment, a hand and finger exercise ball that consists of two parts: a foam body
and flexible rubber cords was used. Patients placed their fingers through each cord,
squeezed it for 1 s, and then opened their fingers against the cord for 1 s. Patients
repeated this exercise for 30 s to 1 min/day. Statistical Analysis Used: The McNemar,
Friedman ANOVA, and the Wilcoxon test with a Bonferroni correction were used on SPSS
20.0 software package program. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Results showed that recovery was performed from physical examination results, grip
strength, and Boston questionnaire scores. About 21.4% of patients' electrophysiological
results were negative at the end of the 1st month and 32.1% of them at the end of the 3rd month. Conclusion: Due to the slowed progress of CTS and detection of slight improvement in evaluation
parameters, this self-applicable and practical exercise can be used as an alternative
treatment of mild CTS in patients with HD.
Key-words:
Carpal tunnel syndrome - exercise - hand - hemodialysis
