EVALUATING THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF NERVE GLIDING AND MOBILIZATION INTERVENTIONS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Although clinical effect sizes vary across trials, nerve gliding (median neurodynamic exercises) and manual mobilization (carpal or "mechanical interface" techniques) are commonly prescribed for CTS. Findings: Recent systematic reviews and RCTs indicate small-to-moderate short-term improvements in pain and function when neurodynamic techniques are added to usual care (splinting/education), with very-low to moderate certainty. Some RCTs also show additional short-term benefit when carpal bone mobilization is combined with splinting. Guidelines recognize these as options, usually adjuncts rather than stand-alone cures, and the main limitation is still heterogeneity in protocols and comparators