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Exercise as a Prophylactic Device against Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

1989; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 33; Issue: 11 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/154193128903301121

0163-5182

Thomas Williams, Leo A. Smith, Richard T. Herrick,

Motor Control and Adaptation

The null hupothesis that participation in an on-the-job strength and flexibility exercise program typical of those directed toward prevention of musculoskeletal stress has no prophylactic effect against carpal tunnel syndrome when used as an intervention measure in a population of female garment workers was examined. Grip strength, Phelan's test results, and hand/wrist thermograms obtained by liquid crystal thermography were taken on an experimental group of female employees in a southern garment manufacturing facility before, after five weeks, and after ten weeks of an exercise program and compared with data obtained from a control group. Although the test results suggested the exercise program may have had some benefit, the null hypothesis could not be rejected. An engineering economic analysis, assuming the exercise program was effective and implemented throughout the corporation, indicated the payback period would be approximately eleven years thus casting doubt on its economic efficacy also.