The Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education for Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Symptom Severity Scale is an 11-item questionnaire used to assess symptom severity in individuals with CTS. Each item is scored from 1 to 5. Scores range from 1 (no symptoms) to 5 (worst symptoms). The patient's symptom severity score is the average score of 11 items.

Functional Status Scale is an 8-item questionnaire used to assess the functional status of patients with CTS. Each item is scored from 1 to 5. Scores range from 1 (no functional deficit) to 5 (worst possible function). The patient's functional status score is the average of all 8 items.

Patients rate the current pain intensity from 0 ("no pain") to 10 ("worst possible pain").

6 items are evaluated out of a total of 26 points. If the patient's total score is above 5, the probability of carpal tunnel syndrome is 25%, while if it is above 12, the probability reaches 80%.

It consists of a total of 7 items. The scale is scored between 0 and 24, with a score of 12 or higher suggesting neuropathic pain.

The cross-sectional area of the median nerve is significantly higher in CTS patients compared to the normal population. Ultrasound, which is used to evaluate the median nerve and determine the underlying etiology, is also used to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. The cross-sectional area measurement of the median nerve will be recorded in mm².

It is used to assess light touch sensation. The assessment is performed using 5 separate monofilaments. The numerical value in the test kits represents the logarithm of 10 times the force required to bend the monofilament, expressed in milligrams. The numerical values are 2.83 (normal light touch sensation), 3.61 (decreased light touch), 4.31 (decreased protective sensation), 4.56 (loss of protective sensation), and 6.65 (loss of deep pressure sensation). The test is performed by applying the monofilament to the tip of the index finger at a 90-degree angle to the skin for 1.5 seconds, repeated three times. The patient must perceive at least one of the monofilament applications as normal. Failure to perceive the 2.83 threshold value is significant for carpal tunnel syndrome.

It is used to assess cortical tactile sensation. The test is applied to the lateral part of the volar surface of the index finger tip. During the test, patients are asked to close their eyes and indicate whether they feel a single or double point. To prevent incorrect sensory perception, pressure exceeding 1 mm is not applied to the skin. The distance between the two points is increased by 1 mm at a time, starting from 1 mm, until the patient feels two distinct points. In the evaluation, a measurement value perceived as two points is considered normal if it is below 6 mm. The minimum distance between two points that can be distinguished by an individual will be tested three times at 1-minute intervals, and the average value will be recorded in centimeters.

Starting at 32 °C, the Cold Detection Threshold is cooled at a rate of 1 °C per second, and the patient presses the button when they first feel the cold. For the Heat Detection Threshold, the temperature is heated at a rate of 1 °C per second, and the patient presses the button when they first feel the heat. For the cold pain threshold, it is cooled at a rate of 1 °C per second, and the patient presses the button when they feel cold pain. For the hot pain threshold, it is heated at a rate of 1 °C per second, and the patient presses the button when they feel hot pain. Each measurement is taken 3 times, and the average value is recorded in degrees Celsius.

The Baseline® hydraulic hand dynamometer-90 kg (Fabrication Enterprises, White Plains, New York 10602, USA) will be used for hand grip strength measurements. According to the test procedure, three measurements will be taken for hand grip and finger grip strength, with one-minute intervals between each measurement, and the average peak force value will be recorded in kilograms.

The Baseline® hydraulic pinchmeter (Fabrication Enterprises, USA) will be used for pinch force measurements. According to the test procedure, three measurements will be taken for hand grip and finger grip strength, with one-minute intervals between each measurement, and the average peak force value will be recorded in kilograms.