| Objective To assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). To investigate the level and influence factors of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). To evaluate the effect of the nerve and tendon gliding exercise on the symptom and hand function of patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.Methods This research was performed in three phases. In the first phase, the English version of BCTQ was introduced into China and was culture-adapted. BCTQ was administered to 195 patients of CTS and evaluated for the reliability and validity using standard psychometric analyses. In the second phase, a total of 199 CTS patients were recruited by convenience sampling method. They were investigated with demographic questionnaire, disease questionnaire and electromyography. In the third phase, a quasi-experimental study was designed,42 patients with mild to moderate CTS were randomized in equal numbers into an intervention group(n=21), who were asked to perform the additional nerve and tendon gliding exercise for three months, and a control group(n=21), who were given routine health education only. They were no statistically significant differences in demographic data and disease information between two groups (P>0.05). The patients were measured with Chinese version of BCTQ, electromyography,36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before training and at 1st month,2nd month and 3rd month after training.Results In the first phase, the results were as follows. ①The Chinese version of BCTQ had 2 dimensions, contains 19 items.② The reliability was proved by Cronbach’s a for internal consistency ranged from 0.90 to 0.947. The CVI for item content validity were ranged from 0.9 to 1.0, and the mean of CVI was 0.95. The construct validity was also confirmed by factor analysis with 66.7% variance was explained by two factors in Symptom Severity Scale (SSS),73.52% variance was explained by one factor in Functional Status Scale (FSS). The average DML in CTS patients was (7.06±5.59) ms. In the second phase, the results were as follows. ①Among 199 patients (345 hands),24 patients got sick in left hand,29 patients got sick in right hand,146 patients got sick in both hands, the average course of the disease was (3.88±5.37) years, The main symptoms were numbness, tingling, weakness, atrophy of the thenar musculature.② The average value of DML was (7.06±5.59) ms in all patients, (7.50±6.99) ms in patients who got sick in left hand, (5.43±1.10) ms in patients who got sick in right hand, (7.32±5.83) ms in patients who got sick in both hands. ③ Comparing patients in different occupation, the severity of the disease were as follows:farmers,blue-collar workers, white-collar workers and housewives. The rates of the disease were as follows:blue-collar workers, white-collar workers,farmers and housewives.④ There were significant differences in the DML among CTS patients in different jobs, education, duration of disease, habits, and burden of housework (P<0.05).⑤ Multiple stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that education and different burden of housework accouted for 44.4% of the variance in the severity of the disease. In the third phase, After training, the symptom and hand function were improved (P<0.05).① The score of DML in the intervention group significantly decreased compared with the control group 3 months after intervention (P< 0.05). ② Analysis of variance of repeated measure and multivariate analysis of variance showed that the mean score of SSS of BCTQ in the intervention group significantly decreased compared with the control group at 2nd month and 3rd month after intervention (P<0.05).③ Analysis of variance of repeated measure and multivariate analysis of variance showed that the mean score of FSS of BCTQ in the intervention group significantly decreased compared with the control group 3 months after intervention (P<0.05).④ There were no statistically differences in the quality of life (P>0.05),but the intervention group had an obvious upward tendency.Conclusion It is shown that the Chinese version of BCTQ had a good reliability and validity, implying that it could be used as positive aspects measurement of Chinese CTS patients for further clinical study and nursing care. The severity of CTS is correlated to work, education and burden of housework. In order to prevent and slow down CTS, it is suggested to strengthen health education for the high-risk population of CTS. The nerve and tendon gliding exercise has a positive impact on the symptom,hand function, and quality of life of patients with mild to moderate CTS. |
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