Study Summary

142 patients with primary idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to receive either a rigid wrist splint or a placebo soft bandage allowing full wrist motion. The co-primary outcomes were change in the six-item carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptom score from baseline to 12 weeks and the proportion of patients undergoing surgery within 1 year. Secondary outcomes included CTS symptom scores at 6 and 52 weeks, disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH) score, EuroQol 5-dimensions (EQ-5D) index, patient satisfaction, palmar pain, grip strength, and adverse events. Outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, and 52 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed no significant difference between groups in symptom improvement at 12 weeks and no meaningful difference in surgery rates at 1 year. These findings suggest that rigid wrist splinting does not provide clinically important benefits over a placebo soft bandage for patients with CTS.