Brazilian version of the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE-BR): Cross-cultural adaptation, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurements. PURPOSE: Perform the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) into a Brazilian version (PRWE-BR), and assess its internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity. METHODS: PRWE-BR was developed using standardized guidelines. Sixty-one patients with different wrist injuries were recruited. They were submitted to two assessments, 2-7 days apart. Reliability was measured by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient). Construct validity was determined via hypothesis testing (Spearman's correlation) of correlations with subscales of SF-36 and DASH. RESULTS: PRWE-BR and its subscales achieved high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥ 0.85) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC ≥ 0.90). Construct validity was established by confirmation of 85.7% of our previously formulated hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: PRWE-BR is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of pain and dysfunction in Brazilian patients with injuries involving the wrist joint. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: design of a randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy in the upper extremity, resulting from the compression of the median nerve at wrist level. Clinical studies are essentials to present evidence on therapeutic resources use at early restoration on peripheral nerve functionality. Low-level laser therapy has been widely investigated in researches related to nerve regeneration. Therefore, it is suggested that the effect of low-level laser therapy associated with other conservative rehabilitation techniques may positively affect symptoms and overall hand function in compressive neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in addition to orthoses therapy and home orientations in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS/DESIGN: Patients older than 18 years old will be included, with clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, excluding comorbidies. A physiotherapist will conduct intervention, with a blinding evaluator. Randomization will be applied to allocate the patients in each group: with association or not to low-level laser therapy. All of them will be submitted to orthoses therapy and home orientations. Outcome will be assessed through: pain visual analogic scale, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments™ threshold sensibility test, Pinch Gauge™, Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and two point discrimination test. DISCUSSION: This paper describes the design of a randomized controlled trial, which aim to assess the effectiveness of conservative treatment added to low-level laser therapy for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec) - 75ddtf / Universal Trial Number: U1111-1121-5184.