RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To report the experience gained from the systematic use of a splint immobilising at night the flexion or extension of the carpus of patients affected by nocturnal acroparaesthesiae. DESIGN: Descriptive, observational study. SETTING: Two urban Health Centres. PATIENTS OR OTHERS PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients were studied. These were 6 men and 16 women who attended during the period from June 1991 and June 1992 because of nocturnal acroparaesthesiae in the area innervated by the median nerve. INTERVENTIONS: The treatment used was to immobilize with a splint the flexion and extension of the carpus during the night. After three weeks the results were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Disappearance of the symptomatology occurred in 8 cases (36.4%). In 10 cases (45.5%), the intensity or frequency of the acroparaesthesiae lessened and in the remaining 4 (18.2%) the symptoms persisted. No significant differences in the therapeutic results could be shown when the patients were grouped in line with clinical or exploratory findings. CONCLUSIONS: On account of the absence of side-effects, its low cost and its being accessible and bloodless, we recommend this treatment as the initial model of therapeutic intervention in Primary Care, while other diagnostic and/or therapeutic possibilities are considered.