CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: A PREVENTIVE APPROACH

Module: User Research Methods

Report by: Adwita Singh
Semester: 2
202303010051
Faculty: Brajesh Sir, Neer Sir
ABSTRACT
While we utilise our hands and wrists for around the world activities, we tend to ignore the pain
they create for us. Not all, but activities which promote compression of the median nerve in the
carpal tunnel situated at the joint of your wrist cause the carpal tunnel syndrome. Pregnancies,
washing clothes, using mouse and sketching are some of the examples required that these were
observed to be done for more than 5 years consistently, ignoring the position of the wrist.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has seen a dramatic increase in the last few decades parallel to
the growth of everyday technology usage, affecting around 3-6% of the adult population. The
ambiguous symptoms make it harder to diagnose.
. Current treatment options available are
 splinting of wrist,
 Anti-inflammatory medication such as pregabalin,
 surgery,
 changing of workspaces,
 exercise
These solutions provide only temporary relief in severe cases and a pause in intermediate cases.
In the most severe case surgery is recommended by the professionals.
In field research in a corporate firm,
 The pain in the thumb and the three middle fingers was observed by employees in their
late 30’s to mid-50’s
 Majority of the cases had been working for more than 10 years and more.
 For reduction of pain, they stretched the fingers, massaged or relied on some other
exercises.
 Inability to grip objects properly.
Findings on neurologists’ analysis,
 Women are 3 times more prone to CTS
 CTS does not cause pain in other parts of body except the thumb and three middle
fingers
 CTS is curable and preventable
 With the existing products in the market there is no noticeable reduction in CTS,
example splints
 Women come more often postpartum.
A need for research in this area grows to understand the root cause of the problem and aid the
existing methodologies revolving around CTS and investigating the existing determinants can
propagate to better success rates and prevention of reoccurrence of the symptoms.
A vicious cycle of grievous pain, wrist movement restriction, pause on the syndrome and
reoccurrence of the symptoms eats up the will of a person. Life long medications and inability to
grip objects restrict the liberty of the man to move as wished. A desire to understand and
prevent the symptoms from occurring is the core propaganda behind the research. Since,
Prevention is better than cure.
KEYWORDS:

 Carpal Tunnel

 Frequent trauma to wrist

 Median Nerve

 Hand

 Decompression

 Transverse Carpal Ligament

CURRENT STATUS:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) has seen a dramatic increase in the last few decades
parallel to the growth of everyday technology usage, affecting around 3-6% of the adult
population. Despite how common it is to have CTS; it can be quite challenging for
physicians to make a definite diagnosis due to different symptoms which could derail the
diagnosis. Even hard is to decide the right course of treatment that is the most effective
and considerate of patient’s needs. Thus arises the need for clear clinical direction.
Peak incidence years are between the ages of 30 to 55.
Women are three times more likely to be afflicted by CTS than male. Current
treatment options available are
 splinting of wrist,
 Anti-inflammatory medication such as pregabalin,
 surgery,
 changing of workspaces,
 exercise
CTS is an occupational hazard. Diagnosis can be done through the possible methods:
 Electrodiagnostic tests
 Ultrasound
 Nerve Conduction Study
 X-Ray

NEED FOR RESEARCH:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy. It can be caused
by the activities integrated in daily lives. An opportunity was seen here to understand
how this syndrome is caused and how it can be prevented. By investigating the
determinants of the symptoms research can contributes to the development of better
diagnostic tools and treatment methods. Through research, the existing methods can be
evaluated with effectiveness. Success of treatment and reoccurrence of symptoms.
EXPECTED OUTCOME:

Primary outcome is to spread awareness about how daily rituals, involving wrist
activities if done in wrong ways can have severe impacts. Secondary outcome is
to avail facilities which help with the prevention of the patient getting afflicted
with CTS providing a relaxation/cool down service to the nerves which undergo
frequent trauma.

FIELD RESEARCH:
Research was held out in a corporate firm with a variety of designations. A total
of 60 responses were recorded out of which these are relevant to the focused
topic.

Name Mr. Amitabh Mr. Mr. Varinder Mr. Rajat Ms. Radha
Singh Rajendra Grover Chakraborty Sonawane

Gender Male Male Male Male Female

Designation Vice Manager Vice Sr. Vice Sr. Manager
President President President
Pain in wrist Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pain in thumb and Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
three middle
fingers
Unable to grip No Yes No No No
objects
How do you relax Massage, Massage, Some other Finger Finger
your hand relax hands, relax hands, exercise stretching, stretching
finger finger acupressure
stretching stretching
How long have you 2-5 years 2-5 years Less than 2 More than 5 Less than 2
been experiencing years years years
pain
Describe the pain Tingling, Intense pain NA Mild Low but
felt Numbness, discomfort on frequently
muscular the thumb of
pain right hand

Fig 1
Fig 2
How long have your fingers been paining for?

Fig 3
Fig 4
Fig 5

Fig 6

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

National Library of Medicine

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9389835/

Johns Hopkins Medicine

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/carpal-tunnel-
syndrome

Joseph Kandel
https://neurologyoffice.com/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-a-guide-to-symptoms-solutions/

Eric H Williams
https://www.baltimoreperipheralnervepain.com/faqs/carpal-tunnel-syndrome-
sometimes-causes-neck-pain.cfm#:~:text=But%20the%20fact%20is%2C
%20carpal,literal%20pain%20in%20the%20neck.
NIAMS
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis#:~:text=Rheumatoid
%20arthritis%20(RA)%20is%20a,loss%20of%20function%20in%20joints

Google scholar

 Iftikhar, F., Anis, S., Asad, U. B., Riaz, S., Rafiq, M., & Naeem, S. (2022).
Development of wearable system for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Research Journal of Textile and Apparel.

 Karjalanen, T., Raatikainen, S., Jaatinen, K., & Lusa, V. (2022).

Update on efficacy of conservative treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Journal of clinical medicine, 11(4), 950.

Behance.net
https://www.behance.net/gallery/82645487/What-Is-Carpal-Tunnel-Syndrome
https://www.behance.net/gallery/96806135/Equipment-For-patients-with-
carpal-tunnel-syndrome