Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38551521›Full record

Trial reportEuropean journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine2024

The effects of virtual reality-mediated tendon and nerve gliding exercises in the conservative management of carpal tunnel syndrome: a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial.

Sina Arman, Ahmet K Menekseoglu, Baran Sezgin, Burhan Ozgur, Nalan Capan, Aydan Oral

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. [Research progress on elbow joint rehabilitation robots].Zhejiang da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sina ArmanDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye - sinabox@gmail.com.
Ahmet K MenekseogluDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Baran SezginDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Burhan OzgurDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Nalan CapanDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Aydan OralDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition resulting from compression of the median nerve at the wrist. First-line treatment typically involves conservative management, which commonly includes splinting and gliding exercises. Emerging evidence suggests the potential benefits of using virtual reality (VR) in rehabilitation.

aimThis study aimed to assess the effects of VR-mediated tendon and nerve gliding exercises on the conservative treatment of CTS, compared to video-assisted (sham virtual) and home-based gliding exercises.

designThis study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled interventional trial.

settingThe study was conducted in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at a university hospital. POPULATION: The study included patients with mild to moderate CTS.

methodsThe study included a total of 54 hands from 33 patients. The participants were randomly allocated into three groups: the VR-mediated group (VG), the sham VR-mediated group (SG), and the control (home-based) group (CG). Both intervention groups engaged in gliding exercises utilizing a Leap Motion Controller-based VR system and instructional videos, under the supervision of a physical therapist. The VR system was activated for the VG and deactivated for the SG. Exercises were performed twice weekly for eight weeks. The CG received a brochure describing the gliding exercises. Primary outcomes were symptom severity measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), along with nerve conduction studies. Secondary outcomes included muscle strength (hand grip, key pinch), sensory measures (static two-point discrimination, vibration), and quality of life.

resultsBoth the VG and SG showed significant improvements in NRS and BCTQ scores compared to the CG in within-group comparisons. Nighttime symptoms improved significantly in the VG compared to the CG in between-group analyses. Electrophysiological findings showed no significant changes.

conclusionsAn eight-week VR-mediated exercise program may enhance tendon and nerve gliding exercise effectiveness, particularly for nighttime symptoms in CTS patients. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: In the future, challenging exercises requiring time and supervision could be effectively performed through VR, offering an alternative to traditional methods.

Indexed as

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeConservative TreatmentExercise TherapyAdultDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMedian NerveMiddle AgedProspective StudiesTreatment OutcomeVirtual RealityVirtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Identifiers

PMID38551521
PMCPMC11255877

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.