Effect of splinting and kinesiotaping treatments on functional status, sleep quality and median nerve cross-sectional area in carpal tunnel syndrome: A single blind prospective randomized controlled study

Background: The effect of conservative treatments on sleep quality in carpal tunnel syndrome is unclear. Purpose: Comparing the effect of splinting and kinesiotaping in carpal tunnel syndrome on functional status, pain, grip strength, nerve cross-sectional area and sleep quality. Study Design: Randomized controlled study. Methods: The participants were divided into three groups. One group was given night splint and nerve tendon gliding exercises, one group was given kinesiotaping and nerve tendon gliding exercises and one group was given only nerve tendon gliding exercises. The participants was evaluated with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Jamar hand dynamometer, ultrasonography by a blind investigator in the treatment group at baseline and at 3 months. Results: A total of 90 participants, 53 women and 37 men, with a mean age of 47.6 ± 10.5, participated in the study. The decrease in Boston symptom severity and functional status scores was higher in the kinesiotaping group than in the splint group (Cohen's d = −0.78). A statistically significant decrease was found in PSQI scores in all groups (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was found in the PSQI total and sleep duration component score in the kinesiotaping group compared to the splint group and the exercise group (Cohen's d = 0.69). Conclusions: Both splinting and kinesiotaping are effective on pain, functional status, hand grip strength and median nerve cross-sectional area. This effect is greater in kinesiotaping. Splinting, kinesiotaping and nerve tendon gliding exercises treatments are effective in improving sleep quality, but this effect is greater in kinesiotaping. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06514625.