Typing Proficiency Following Carpal Tunnel Release

This study will investigate how soon a patient's typing proficiency returns to their pre-operative levels following carpal tunnel release surgery. In order to determine this, patients will undergo typing tests at different time points that will record their typing accuracy and speed. The results will then be compared to determine on average how soon a person returns to their pre-operative baseline results.

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Key information

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Release

Age range

20 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Vanderbilt University Hand & Upper Extremity Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

About this study

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is compressed at the wrist. It causes such symptoms as numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle damage, and pain. If non-operative treatments do not work generally patients go on to carpal tunnel release surgery in which the transverse carpal ligament is released. After surgery patients usually return to work with no restrictions within six weeks. Patients often ask how soon they are able to return to typing after surgery, and what their typing ability will be like after surgery. Currently there are no studies that evaluate how long it takes for patient's typing skills to return to that of the pre-operative skill level. We would like to answer that question by comparing typing results from different time points including a baseline prior to surgery. We additionally seek to identify which patient characteristics are predictive of a faster return of typing proficiency.

An additional innovative aspect of this project is the use of a web-based typing test that will be used in the assessment of patient typing proficiency. We will additionally use a web-based model for the collection of our survey data.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients set to undergo carpal tunnel release
Patients who have a positive EMG test
Patients must have access to a computer with internet access
Patients must have an email account
Patients must be between the ages of 20-70
Patients that meet typing test requirements

Must type weekly
Typing proficiency of 30 wpm at time of pre-operative appointment
Must use all fingers when typing
Can read text in font Times New Roman size 14

Exclusion criteria

People who cannot read or write
People who do not meet inclusion criteria
Patients who do not speak English
Patients unwilling or unable to return for follow-up visits prescribed by the study protocol
Patients who qualify for inclusion in the study, but refuse to participate.
Patients with concurrent, ipsilateral confounding hand or upper extremity pathology such as trigger finger, ganglion cyst, painful arthritis, etc.

Treatment and study plan

Typing assessment

Other

Primary outcomes

Change in typing test measurements (speed and accuracy)

Time frame: Preoperative, Postoperative: 8-10days, 2wks, 3wks, 4wks, 5wks, 6wks, 8wks, 12wks

Each patient will complete a preoperative typing test (at their home) prior to undergoing carpal tunnel release surgery. The patient will then take the same typing test at the following time points postoperatively: 8-10days, 2wks, 3wks, 4wks, 5wks, 6wks, 8wks, 12wks. The change in speed and accuracy will be assessed by comparing the preoperative (baseline) typing test results to the postoperative typing test results.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vanderbilt University

Other

Collaborators

Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2013
Primary completion: 2015
Study completion: 2015
First posted: May 15, 2013
Registry last updated: Sep 17, 2015

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed