Exercises using a touchscreen tablet application improves functional ability more than conventional exercises after surgical carpal tunnel release

In a study published by Blanquero J et al in April 2019, in the Journal of Physiotherapy Australia,  50 patients within 10 days of surgical carpal tunnel release were included, and randomized into 2 groups. Each participant was given a 4 week home exercise program. The participants in the experimental group were given a touch screen that administered and monitored exercises. Participants in the control group on the other hand were prescribed exercise to perform at home on paper as seen in usual clinical practice. The findings of the study were very interesting, as the participants that performed exercises on a touch screen showed significantly greater improvement in terms of functional ability.  Moreover, a greater improvement was also observed in terms of grip strength, hand dexterity and pain, in the experimental group as compared to the control group, however the differences were not statistically significant.