Effect of electromyography biofeedback treatment on reaction time, pain, hand grip strength, and upper extremity functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of electromyography biofeedback (EMG-BF), which in addition to conventional electrophysical therapy (EPT) commonly used in the symptomatic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), on motor parameters such as strength and reaction time and symptomatic functional parameters such as pain and function of the upper extremity.
 Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with CTS were divided into two groups. The first group was the conventional EPT group only (control group, n=46 hands), and the second group was the group that received EMG-BF in addition to the conventional EPT treatment (research group, n=42 hands). The pain (VAS), hand grip strength (HGS), audio-visual reaction time (ART-VRT), and upper extremity disability (Quick DASH) of patients in both groups were assessed before and after the treatment program.
 Results: After treatment, VRT, ART, HGS, and Quick DASH were significantly better in favor of the EPT +EMG- BF group. Before treatment, resting state (VASr), mobile state (VASm), and night state (VASn) VAS values were similar between the two groups. After training, the VAS -values were better in favor of the EPT +EMG- BF –group.
 Conclusion: Although EPT applications provide effective results in the rehabilitation of CTS, EMG-BF applications together with EPT applications provide more meaningful results in the rehabilitation process.