RESULTS:
Heat
wrap showed significant benefits in day 1 to 3 mean pain relief
(P=.045) and increased day 3 grip strength (P=.02) versus oral placebo
for the SS/T/OA group.
However, joint stiffness and PRWE results were
comparable between the 2 treatments. For the CTS group, heat wraps
provided greater day 1 to 3/hour 0 to 8 mean pain relief (P=.001), day 1
to 3 mean joint stiffness reduction (P=.004), increased day 3 grip
strength (P=.003), reduced PRWE scores (P=.0015), reduced symptom
severity (P=.001), and improved functional status (P=.04).
In addition, the heat wrap showed significant extended benefits through follow-up (day 5) in the CTS group.