Impact of carpal tunnel education on changing dental hygienists knowledge, risk behaviors, symptoms and functional performance

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Scoggins, Kathryn Mock^; | Campbell, Regina Michael

Affiliations: Occupational Therapy, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, 1515 West 42nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, AR 71603, USA | Texas Woman's University, School of Occupational Therapy Dallas Center, 8194 Walnut Hill, Dallas, TX 75231, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author, Tel.: + 1 501 5417226, Fax: + 1 501 5417228.

Abstract: In recent years, occupational therapists have become increasingly involved in the design and implementation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) prevention programs. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of an occupational therapists' designed and implemented CTS educational program targeted to address risk behaviors in the dental hygiene profession. A total of 79 practicing dental hygienists completed a pre, post, and 2-week follow-up questionnaire to measure the extent of change in knowledge of CTS symptoms, “at risk behaviors”, and prevention strategies before and after CTS education. The findings of this study suggest that the CTS educational program, presented by an occupational therapist and a registered dental hygienist, significantly impacted dental hygienist's CTS knowledge and lead to positive changes in their “at risk behaviors” and use of prevention strategies.

Keywords: Occupational therapy, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Education, Dental hygienists, Risk behaviors, Outcome study

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1995-5402

Journal: Work, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 243-254, 1995