Research Illuminates Relationship Between Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Keyboard Use
posted: 11-28-07

Since the advent of the personal computer in the 1980s, massage therapists have seen an increasing number of clients present with carpal tunnel syndrome (www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2005/issue114/research114.1.php). Now, a new study out of Sweden refutes long-held beliefs about the condition.

Researchers at Hassleholm Hospital found that heavy computer keyboard use is a predictor of lowered risk of carpal tunnel syndrome—not the higher risk many in the health professions have thought it was. Results were published in the November 2007 issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism.

A health status questionnaire was mailed to 2,465 persons of working age (25-65 years) who were randomly selected from the general population of a representative region of Sweden, according to a research abstract released by the hospital. The questionnaire required the subjects to provide information about the presence and severity of pain, numbness and tingling in each body region, employment history, and work activities, including average time spent using a keyboard during a usual working day.

Those reporting recurrent hand numbness or tingling in the median nerve distribution were asked to undergo a physical examination and nerve conduction testing. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome, defined as symptoms plus abnormal results on nerve conduction tests, was compared between groups of subjects that differed in their intensity of keyboard use, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index and smoking status.

Results showed that persons who had reported intensive keyboard use on the questionnaire were significantly less likely to be diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome than were those who had reported little keyboard use.

For more information, see "Assess & Address: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome," by Whitney Lowe (www.massagemag.com/Magazine/2004/issue107/assess107.php)