Upper Extremity Functional Index in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Validity and Reliability of the Upper Extremity Functional Index in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Upper Extremity Functional Index in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. This cross-sectional study included 101 patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome at a university hospital. Patients were administered the Upper Extremity Functional Index, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire surveys. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Upper Extremity Fuctional Index were evaluated.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS); Upper Extremity Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Questionnaire

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 101

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Denizli, Turkey (Türkiye), 20170
    • Pamukkale University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study included patients aged 18-65 years who were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome after visiting the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital, who volunteered, who had no history of other trauma, disease, or surgery in the affected limb, and who had no communication difficulties. The patients were included before starting any conservative or surgical treatment programme.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• To be diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, to be a volunteer, and to be between the ages of 18 and 65 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• no history of other trauma, disease or surgery in the affected limb and difficulty communicating

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Patients aged 18-65 years diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome.	Other: Questionnaire; The Upper Extremity Functional Index (at the first session and after 2 weeks), the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire were administered to patients using a face-to-face assessment method.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Upper Extremity Functional Index	It is a 20-item scale scored using a 4-point Likert scale (0 = Extremely difficult/I cannot do it, 4 = I do not experience any difficulty). The patient scores between 0 and 80, and it is recommended that the total score be used in studies. A high score indicates that the patient has good upper extremity function.	The questionnaire was administered at baseline (after diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome) and 15 days after the baseline assessment.
Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire	This questionnaire evaluates the functionality of the hand and consists of 63 questions in total. Each question is scored between 1-5 and the score of each section varies between 0-100. High total score indicates high satisfaction.	The questionnaire was administered at baseline (after diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome)
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire	It has been developed to assess the severity of symptoms and functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptom severity scale consists of 11 questions, while the functional status scale consists of 8 questions. Each question is scored between 1 and 5. A higher symptom severity or functional status score indicates worse symptoms or functional impairment.	The questionnaire was administered at baseline (after diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Pamukkale University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Aytar A, Yuruk ZO, Tuzun EH, Baltaci G, Karatas M, Eker L. The Upper Extremity Functional Index (UEFI): cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015;28(3):489-95. doi: 10.3233/BMR-140545.
• Sousa RL, Moraes VY, Zobiole AF, Nakachima LR, Belloti JC. Diagnostic criteria and outcome measures in randomized clinical trials on carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review. Sao Paulo Med J. 2023 Apr 17;141(6):e2022086. doi: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0086.07022023. eCollection 2023.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 28, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 18, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): November 18, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 24, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): November 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 24, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; psychometrics; outcome measures; upper extremity functional index
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries; Neuromuscular Diseases; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Median Neuropathy; Mononeuropathies; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Sprains and Strains; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Investigative Techniques; Epidemiologic Methods; Data Collection; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Public Health; Environment and Public Health; Surveys and Questionnaires
• Other Study ID Numbers: E-60116787-020-28687

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No