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Background <p>Carpal tunnel release (CTR) remains the traditional surgical intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the most common peripheral compressive neuropathy. Despite its prevalence, considerable variability persists in how outcome measures are reported across CTR studies. This heterogeneity poses challenges for evidence synthesis and impedes the development of standardized clinical guidelines. Notably, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) remains the most commonly utilized instrument for assessing outcomes in these studies. We aim to identify and summarize the most prevalently utilized outcome measures, including the BCTQ, and to evaluate patterns and gaps in outcome reporting.</p> Methods <p>This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane methodologies, with prior registration of the study protocol in the PROSPERO database. We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science, without language or geographical restrictions. Our strategy combined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, free text, and Boolean operators, and we also reviewed references from included articles for relevance. Studies from the searches were logged in an Excel spreadsheet, and four researchers screened titles and abstracts independently in two teams. Discrepancies led to full-text reviews, and eligibility assessments were conducted collaboratively, using a standardized form for data extraction.</p> Results <p>Sixty-three studies were included, with a median publication year of 2020 (range, 2014–2024) and representation from 17 countries. Most studies were prospective (39.7%) or retrospective cohorts (38.1%), with randomized controlled trials accounting for 15.9%. Median sample size was 119 patients (range, 58–9049). A total of 26 distinct outcome measures were identified. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was most frequently used (58.7%), followed by QuickDASH (19.0%) and the Levine-Katz CTS Questionnaire (12.7%). Outcome heterogeneity was substantial, with one to six measures reported per study. Patient-centered outcomes, such as satisfaction and return to work, were inconsistently captured.</p> Conclusions <p>Current CTR research is marked by heterogeneity in outcome selection and reporting, which complicates the aggregation and comparison of data across studies. Standardization of outcome measures, including developing a core outcome set, is required to enhance evidence synthesis, guide clinical decision-making.</p> Level of evidence <p>Not gradable.</p>

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Reporting outcomes and outcome measures in carpal tunnel release: a systematic review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月3日

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  • Sarah A. Alyamani,
  • Latifah A. Alhamed,
  • Abdulaziz M. Alghamdi,
  • Ibrahim R. Halawani,
  • Feryal K. Alali,
  • Mada Khodary,
  • Rahaf Alharbi,
  • Zahir T. Fadel

摘要

Background

Carpal tunnel release (CTR) remains the traditional surgical intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the most common peripheral compressive neuropathy. Despite its prevalence, considerable variability persists in how outcome measures are reported across CTR studies. This heterogeneity poses challenges for evidence synthesis and impedes the development of standardized clinical guidelines. Notably, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) remains the most commonly utilized instrument for assessing outcomes in these studies. We aim to identify and summarize the most prevalently utilized outcome measures, including the BCTQ, and to evaluate patterns and gaps in outcome reporting.

Methods

This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane methodologies, with prior registration of the study protocol in the PROSPERO database. We conducted a comprehensive search across multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CENTRAL, and Web of Science, without language or geographical restrictions. Our strategy combined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, free text, and Boolean operators, and we also reviewed references from included articles for relevance. Studies from the searches were logged in an Excel spreadsheet, and four researchers screened titles and abstracts independently in two teams. Discrepancies led to full-text reviews, and eligibility assessments were conducted collaboratively, using a standardized form for data extraction.

Results

Sixty-three studies were included, with a median publication year of 2020 (range, 2014–2024) and representation from 17 countries. Most studies were prospective (39.7%) or retrospective cohorts (38.1%), with randomized controlled trials accounting for 15.9%. Median sample size was 119 patients (range, 58–9049). A total of 26 distinct outcome measures were identified. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was most frequently used (58.7%), followed by QuickDASH (19.0%) and the Levine-Katz CTS Questionnaire (12.7%). Outcome heterogeneity was substantial, with one to six measures reported per study. Patient-centered outcomes, such as satisfaction and return to work, were inconsistently captured.

Conclusions

Current CTR research is marked by heterogeneity in outcome selection and reporting, which complicates the aggregation and comparison of data across studies. Standardization of outcome measures, including developing a core outcome set, is required to enhance evidence synthesis, guide clinical decision-making.

Level of evidence

Not gradable.