Abstract
Background and Purpose :Sensory evaluation is fundamental to evaluation of patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to determine the construct validity and responsiveness for sensory threshold tests in patients with CTS.Methods :Sixty-three patients diagnosed with CTS were evaluated prior to orthotic intervention and again at follow up at 6 and 12 weeks. Sensory tests included touch threshold PSSD (Pressure Specified Sensory Device) and vibration threshold (Vibrometer). Construct validity was assessed by comparing sensory tests to hand function, and dexterity testing using Spearman rho (rs). Patients were classified as either responders or non-responders to orthotic intervention based on the change score of the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) of 0.5. Responsiveness of the sensory tools was measured using ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves, SRM (Standardized Response Mean), and ES (Effect Sizes).Results :The PSSD had low to moderate correlations (rs ≤ 0.32) while Vibrometer scores had moderate correlations (rs = 0.36 - 0.41) with dexterity scores. The Clinically Important Difference (CID) for the PSSD was estimated at 0.15 g/mm2 but was not discriminative. The Vibrometer demonstrated moderate responsiveness, with a SRM = 0.61 and an ES = 0.46 among responders. The PSSD had a SRM = 0.09 and an ES = 0.08 and showed low responsiveness for patients with a clinically important improvement in symptoms.Conclusion :Measurement properties suggest that the Vibrometer was preferable to the PSSD because it was more correlated to hand function, and was more responsive. Clinicians may choose use the Vibrometer opposed to the PSSD for determining important change in sensation after orthotic intervention.
Highlights
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common compression neuropathy with an annual prevalence ranging between 2.7% [1] to 6.7% [2]
Patients respectively who had their scores at 6 weeks carried forward to 12 weeks because the 6 week score was the last follow-up
The current study demonstrated that Vibrometry is preferable to Pressure Specified Sensory Device (PSSD) in measuring sensory responses to conservative management of CTS
Summary
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common compression neuropathy with an annual prevalence ranging between 2.7% [1] to 6.7% [2]. Clinical examination tests of sensibility and hand function are used to assess sensibility and its functional impact [15,16,17,18,19,20]. This includes sensory tests [21], or disease specific questionnaires [22]. These clinical tests should be responsive, such that they demonstrate noticeable change to the patient or to the clinician [23].
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