Sleep Position in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathy. Recent studies suggest that this syndrome may be more frequent in some specific sleep positions. Objectives: The aim of this study was evaluation of sleep position in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed with electromyography. The sleep position in the patients was assessed via the questionnaire. The sleep position of the patients was compared with the sleep position of 320 healthy persons. The ?2 test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Carpal tunnel syndrome was more frequent in women. About two thirds of the patients had moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome was more frequent in patients who slept on their sides than who slept in other positions (P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep position. Conclusions: Our study showed that carpal tunnel syndrome was more frequent in some sleep positions, however, no significant relationship was found between the sleep position and the severity of this syndrome.