Efficacy of a soft hand brace and a wrist splint for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled study

Objective –  To examine, in a randomized, controlled, single blinded trial, the efficacy of a soft hand brace and a wrist splint for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods –  We randomized 120 patients with CTS into a group wearing the soft hand brace MANU ® and into another group wearing the wrist splint CAMP TIELLE ® at night for 3 months. We re‐evaluated the patients after 3 (T1) and 9 months (T2). The primary efficacy measures were changes in scores of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and in Visual Analogical Scale (VAS) for pain and paresthesias. Results –  At T1, both groups showed a significant reduction in symptomatic and functional BCTQ (T0–T1 differences: MANU ® BCTQ sympt: 0.88 (0.68–1.08), funct: 0.45 (0.19–0.72); TIELLE ® BCTQ sympt: 0.78 (0.55–1.01), funct: 0.41 (0.22–0.59). At T2, a less evident benefit on symptoms persisted in both groups, except for pain VAS score that was significantly reduced only in the CAMP TIELLE ® group. No significant functional benefits persisted in either group. There were no differences in BCTQ and VAS scores between the two groups at T1 and T2 compared with that at baseline. Conclusions –  A 3‐month treatment with either the hand brace or the wrist splint induces a symptomatic and functional benefit in patients with CTS.