Effect of weight-bearing wrist movement with carpal-stabilizing taping on pain and range of motion in subjects with dorsal wrist pain: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Study design: Randomized control trial.

Introduction: During weight-bearing wrist movement, potential stabilizing forces caused by carpal stabilizing taping (CST) may restrict movement of the carpal bones, allowing greater wrist joint extension.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of study was to investigate the effect of CST during weight-bearing wrist movement on pain intensity and range of motion (ROM) of wrist extension in subjects with dorsal wrist pain.

Methods: Thirty participants with dorsal wrist pain when weight bearing through the hand were randomly allocated into 2 groups: (1) a CST group using rigid tape and (2) placebo taping (PT) group using elastic tape. Subjects performed weight-bearing wrist movements with CST or PT in 6 sessions for 1 week. Active and passive ROM (AROM and PROM), and the visual analog scale (VAS) were assessed at baseline and after the intervention.

Results: The AROM and PROM of wrist extension increased significantly in both groups compared with preintervention values (P < .01). Comparing the PT and CST groups, the differences between preintervention and postintervention AROM (mean difference [MD] = +8.6°) and PROM (MD = +6.8°) were significantly greater in the CST group than in the PT group (P < .01). The CST group also showed greater improvement in VAS compared with the PT group (MD = -18 mm) (P < .01).

Conclusion: We recommend CST during weight-bearing wrist movement as an effective intervention for both increasing wrist extension ROM and decreasing pain in patients with dorsal wrist pain during weight bearing through the hand.

Keywords: Carpal bones; Carpal-stabilizing taping; Dorsal wrist pain; Joint mobilization; Wrist extension range of motion.