Przydatność tradycyjnych metod elektrodiagnostycznych w diagnostyce i ocenie efektów leczenia pacjentów z zespołem cieśni kanału nadgarstka — doniesienie wstępne

Introduction. Traditional electrodiagnostic methods are not fully used in diagnosing and monitoring the outcomes of rehabilitation. These are non-invasive methods which are commonly available in all physiotherapy rooms and may be helpful in taking decisions related to therapy. Purpose. The study aimed at accessing the usefulness of electrodiagnostic parameters in monitoring the process of rehabilitation in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Material and method. The study group included 6 patients referred for physiotherapy due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Altogether 8 hands were analysed: 6 right and 2 left hands. The study applied quantity-based electrodiagnostic methods. Nervous excitability of thenar muscles was assessed. The following values were measured: rheobase, chronaxie, accommodation threshold, and accommodation index. The assessment also included subjective clinical symptoms, and a computer method was used to measure the range of motion in hand joints, and hand grip strength. Examinations were performed before the rehabilitation programme was initiated and after it was concluded. The rehabilitation programme included sonication, whirlpool massage, and neuromobilization of the median nerve. Results. The study showed statistically significant correlation between the assessment of self-care ability and the value of accommodation index (lower ability coincided with a lower value of accommodation index). None of the electrodiagnostic parameters were significantly changed as a result of the therapy. Conclusions. Due to the small size of the study group, at this stage of the research the obtained results did not confirm the usefulness of the traditional electrodiagnostic methods.