The strongest evidence supports postsurgical early active motion protocol s and splinting for various conditions .
Very few studies have examined occupation-based interventions .
Occupational therapy practitioners are key health care providers for people with musculoskeletal disorders of the distal upper extremity .
It is imperative that practitioners underst and the most effective and efficient means for remediating impairments and supporting clients in progressing to independence in purpose ful occupations .
This systematic review provides an up date to a previous review by summarizing articles published between 2006 and July 2014 related to the focused question , What is the evidence for the effect of occupational therapy interventions on functional outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal disorders of the forearm , wrist , and h and ?
Carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a diode laser: a controlled treatment of the transverse carpal ligament.
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this placebo-controlled study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of the 830-nm diode laser on carpal tunnel syndrome ( CTS ) . BACKGROUND DATA Many articles in the literature have demonstrated that low-level laser therapy ( LLLT ) may help to alleviate various types of nerve pain , especially for CTS treatment . We placed an 830-nm laser directly above the transverse carpal ligament , which is between the pisiform and navicular bones of the tested patients , to determine the therapeutic effect of LLLT . MATERIAL S AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with mild to moderate degree of CTS were r and omly divided into two groups . The laser group received laser treatment ( 10 Hz , 50 % duty cycle , 60 mW , 9.7 J/cm(2 ) , at 830 nm ) , and the placebo group received sham laser treatment . Both groups received treatment for 2 wk consisting of a 10-min laser irradiation session each day , 5 d a week . The therapeutic effects were assessed on symptoms and functional changes , and with nerve conduction studies ( NCS ) , grip strength assessment , and with a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , soon after treatment and at 2-wk follow-up . RESULTS Before treatment , there were no significant differences between the two groups for all assessment s ( p > 0.05 ) . The VAS scores were significantly lower in the laser group than the placebo group after treatment and at follow-up ( p < 0.05 ) . After 2 wk of treatment , no significant differences were found in grip strengths or for symptoms and functional assessment s ( p > 0.05 ) . However , there were statistically significant differences in these variables at 2-wk follow-up ( p < 0.05 ) . Regarding the findings of NCS , there was no statistically significant difference between groups after treatment and at 2-wk follow-up . CONCLUSIONS LLLT was effective in alleviating pain and symptoms , and in improving functional ability and finger and h and strength for mild and moderate CTS patients with no side effects
The strongest evidence supports postsurgical early active motion protocol s and splinting for various conditions .
Very few studies have examined occupation-based interventions .
Occupational therapy practitioners are key health care providers for people with musculoskeletal disorders of the distal upper extremity .
It is imperative that practitioners underst and the most effective and efficient means for remediating impairments and supporting clients in progressing to independence in purpose ful occupations .
This systematic review provides an up date to a previous review by summarizing articles published between 2006 and July 2014 related to the focused question , What is the evidence for the effect of occupational therapy interventions on functional outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal disorders of the forearm , wrist , and h and ?