None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
After undergoing Carpal Tunnel release surgery, Peninsula Health patients currently are provided with a written leaflet developed by the hand therapy team at their first post-operative appointment. This is usually 10-14 days post-surgery. It is possible that patients may recover faster if they also receive a face-to-face consultation with a hand therapist, however there is only low level evidence from a retrospective case series study (Mack et al., 2017) to support this. We propose to complete a pilot study to see whether a randomised control trial would be feasible at Peninsula Health. The pilot study will take place over a 3 month data collection period, which is predicated on research honours student availability. Based on 2017 data, it is anticipated that the study could recruit a minimum of 20 patients (note: the original target of 50 was revised due to a downturn in the number of surgeries performed at this site, and a reduced recruitment period due to changed student project parameters). In this pilot study, participants will be randomised to two groups: 1: control group who will receive usual treatment (written information provision) 2: treatment group who will receive usual treatment plus one face-to-face hand therapy appointment We aim to collect data pre-operatively and then on three occasions over a 12 week timeframe: initial post-operative phase (10-14 days after surgery), 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Patient-rated outcome measures will include the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire; Quality of Life (using the EQ-5D-5L) and patient satisfaction with their recovery. We will also report on any complications such as Pillar Pain, infection and wound breakdown. Participants will be offered the choice of paper, on-line or phone-based completion of these measures. We will also conduct a basic cost-benefit analysis using utility scores calculated from the EQ-5D-5L and information regarding time off work and other health resource usage.
Interventions
After undergoing Carpal Tunnel release surgery all patients at the participating hospital currently receive a written leaflet developed by the hand therapy team. This is given to the patient at their first post-operative appointment with the nurse and surgeon, 10-14 days post-surgery. The leaflet describes the surgical procedure in plain language and includes a diagram of the anatomical structures. It provides information regarding wound care, timing of stitch removal, management of swelling, re
After undergoing Carpal Tunnel release surgery all patients at the participating hospital currently receive a written leaflet developed by the hand therapy team. This is given to the patient at their first post-operative appointment with the nurse and surgeon, 10-14 days post-surgery. The leaflet describes the surgical procedure in plain language and includes a diagram of the anatomical structures. It provides information regarding wound care, timing of stitch removal, management of swelling, recommended hand exercises, and activity precautions. Those randomised to the intervention group will also receive one face-to-face 30 minute hand therapy appointment on the same day (i.e. after their first post-operative appointment with the nurse and surgeon). In this appointment, the occupational therapy student researcher (under supervision of a senior hand therapist) will reiterate the information in the leaflet, ask about symptoms, check the recovery of the wound, demonstrate exercises and scar management and answer questions.
Sponsors
Monash University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adults who undergo elective Open Carpal Tunnel Release (OCTR) surgery at Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health between November 2018 and April 2019.
Exclusion criteria
Those with additional upper limb diagnoses requiring treatment or surgery Those who have had additional surgery at the time of OCTR Those who are unable to read and understand outcome measures due to limited functional English ability or known cognitive impairments
Outcome results
None listed