Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate median nerve excursion during conventional nerve gliding
exercises and newly developed exercises, primarily comprising abduction and
adduction of the fingers. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Anatomical
dissection facility. CADAVERS: Random sample of upper extremities of fresh
whole-body human cadavers
(N=18). Cadavers with neuromuscular diseases in the
medical record or anatomic variations were excluded. INTERVENTION: Conventional
and new nerve gliding exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distances between markers
applied into the nerve and markers in the periosteum were visualized with
ultrasound and measured. Comparisons of nerve excursions between different
exercises were performed. RESULTS: Conventional exercises led to substantial
nerve gliding proximal to the carpal tunnel and between the head of the pronator
teres (12 and 13.8mm, respectively), but it led to far less in the carpal tunnel
(6.6mm). With our novel exercises, we achieved nerve gliding in the carpal tunnel
of 13.8mm. No substantial marker movement could be detected during lateral
flexion of the cervical spine. CONCLUSIONS: Although conventional nerve gliding
exercises only lead to minimal nerve excursions in the carpal tunnel, our novel
exercises with the abduction and adduction of the fingers result in substantial
longitudinal gliding throughout the arm. Clinical trials will have to deliver the
clinical evidence.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS