The Influence of Exercises Augmented by Electric Stimulation on Pain Levels and Muscle Strength in Rehabilitating Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

The research aims to prepare rehabilitative exercises accompanied by electrical stimulation and to investigate the effect of these proposed exercises on patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital. Arm injuries are among the most common due to incorrect habits in using devices and tools, especially in our present time. In the era of technology, using equipment and tools for extended periods and in incorrect postures burdens neuromuscular function. It is manifested in activities that require repetitive elbow flexion and finger movements. One of these injuries is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs due to irritation of the median nerve, resulting in numbness and tingling sensations in the hand and fingers. Since the median nerve is close to the surface of the skin at the elbow, the use of appropriate therapeutic methods that save time and effort to achieve a state of recovery is crucial. It involves considering important pillars. Additionally, selecting diverse and varied exercises and tools is essential to achieve better treatment outcomes. From this, the researchers opted to use rehabilitative exercises with the aid of tools, in addition to other therapeutic methods that include electrical stimulation to reduce pain levels and increase muscular strength in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The researchers hypothesized that there would be statistically significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results, indicated by the degree of pain and muscular strength in those afflicted with carpal tunnel syndrome. The researchers employed an experimental methodology involving a pretest-posttest comparison between the experimental and control groups due to its suitability for the nature of the research. The participants were divided into two groups. Both groups underwent pretests, followed by the application of rehabilitative exercises to the experimental group only. Subsequently, both the experimental and control groups were assessed using post-tests. The research population and sample were deliberately selected from the patients at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, who are affected by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and represent the research population. After several visits and reviews conducted by the researchers at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, several patients who were diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and classified as having a moderate level of severity were identified and approached for participation. They were informed about the research and its purpose, as they would form the research sample. A subset of this sample would undergo the proposed rehabilitative exercises as prescribed by the physical therapist in the hospital's Physical Therapy Department. The researchers concluded that the utilized program had a positive impact on all variables. It led to an increase in muscle strength and a reduction in pain for the research sample. The researchers recommend the importance of continued engagement in strength and flexibility exercises to maintain overall health