Neck movement and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are apparently related according to this study. What it does not reveal is following question: Does the restricted motion contribute to CTS or is it a consequence of CTS? A study was done to compare the amount of neck range of motion in women with minimal, mild/moderate and severe CTS. It is possible that the cervical spine may be involved in individuals with CTS. No study has investigated the relationship between neck range of motion and symptoms associated with CTS severity.

In this study, neck range of motion was assessed in 71 women with CTS (18 with minimal, 18 with moderate, and 35 with severe symptoms) and in 20 healthy women. These women were 31 to 60 years in age. An experienced therapist, blinded to the participants’ conditions, used a cervical range-of-motion device to assess cervical range of motion.

The analyses revealed that the individuals with CTS exhibited restricted neck range of motion compared to healthy controls with no significant differences among the groups with minimal, moderate or severe CTS.

In conclusion, women with minimal, moderate, or severe CTS exhibited less neck range of motion compared to women of a similar age. This is suggesting that restricted neck range of motion may be a common feature in individuals with CTS, independent of severity subgroups, as defined by electrodiagnosis.