Neurology 2026

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common focal entrapment neuropathy, with electrodiagnostic testing providing an objective assessment of median nerve dysfunction. However, the extent to which electrophysiological severity corresponds to patients’ symptoms, functional limitations and quality of life remains unclear. A structured literature search was conducted primarily in PubMed/MEDLINE, supplemented by manual screening of references from relevant original studies and reviews. Studies involving adults with clinically or electrodiagnostically confirmed CTS were considered when they included an objective electrophysiological measure and at least one clinical, functional or patient-reported outcome. Particular attention was given to validated instruments including the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, DASH/QuickDASH, Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, PROMIS and generic quality-of-life measures. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study populations, electrodiagnostic protocols and outcome measures, a qualitative synthesis of the available evidence was performed rather than a meta-analysis. The reviewed literature indicates that electrophysiological severity has a measurable but generally modest and inconsistent association with symptom severity, while its relationship with functional status is weaker and less uniform. Quality of life appears to be influenced by multiple factors, including pain, psychological distress and functional demands, and cannot be adequately explained by electrodiagnostic severity alone. These findings support the complementary use of electrodiagnostic testing and validated patient-reported and functional outcome measures in the comprehensive assessment of patients with CTS.

Dr Ivana Kezic is specialist in Neurology with a particular interest in clinical neurophysiology, electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG/ENG) and neuromuscular disorders. She is currently a PhD student in the field of Sports Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. She has participated as an author, co-author, and lecturer at numerous national and international neurological congresses and has published and co-authored scientific papers in the field of neurology.