Preoperative Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Preoperative Pain Neuroscience Education Combined With Therapeutic Exercise Post-surgery in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Design: A double-blind randomized controlled study.

Background: Patients operated on for carpal tunnel release surgery may persist with pain after surgery, which could be modulated by psychosocial factors such as depression, catastrophic thinking and kinesiophobia.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a preoperative session in pain neuroscience education combined with postoperative therapeutic exercise in the perception of pain, functionality and psychosocial variables in patients following carpal tunnel release.

Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to the pain neuroscience education group combined with postoperative therapeutic exercise (n = 15) or to the control group with preoperative usual care combined with postoperative therapeutic exercise (n = 15). Evaluations included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Tampa scale of kinesiophobia (TSK-11) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) . A basal, fourth and twelfth week measurement was made.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients over 18 years of age
• Medical diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome waiting for surgery
• Agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to understand instructions,
• Illiteracy,
• Previous participation in educational programs regarding pain,
• Pathology of uncontrolled mental health,
• Cognitive problems,
• Previous surgeries in the operated extremity.