Protective effect of glove on median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the protective effect of gel padded glove on median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. METHODS: Median nerve conduction parameters, skin temperature, laser Doppler flowmetry and pain modifications were measured during and after a 30-min carpal tunnel external compression protocol performed with and without glove in a random order on six healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Compression induced a rapidly reversible increase in sensory and motor distal latencies, a decrease in sensory amplitude, finger laser Doppler flowmetry and hand skin temperature supporting the hypothesis of a reversible conduction block of ischemic origin. There was no statistical difference between the tests (with or without glove) except for pain that was significantly reduced by glove protection. CONCLUSION: Gel padded glove does not seem to have a protective effect on the carpal tunnel syndrome induced by compression but provides significant comfort.