Pengaruh Nerve Gliding Exercise terhadap Fungsi Tangan pada Carpal Tunel Syndrome Karyawan Kantoran

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders experienced by office workers. This condition generally arises from repetitive wrist activities, such as prolonged typing or intensive mouse use, which cause pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms of CTS include pain, tingling, weakness, and decreased hand function, which can interfere with work productivity. Various conservative interventions have been developed, one of which is nerve gliding exercises, which mobilize the median nerve to reduce pressure, improve blood flow, and facilitate nerve movement within the carpal canal. This study aims to narratively review the effectiveness of nerve gliding exercises in improving the functional abilities of CTS patients, particularly in office workers. The method used was a systematic literature review of 16 international articles published between 2016 and 2024, using randomized controlled trial (RCT) and quasi-experimental designs. Articles were selected based on inclusion criteria, which included the primary intervention of nerve gliding exercise in CTS patients, measurement of hand function using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), and parameters of grip strength and range of motion. The analysis showed that nerve gliding exercise consistently resulted in significant improvements in grip strength, wrist range of motion, and reduced disability scores on the BCTQ. Several studies also reported reduced pain complaints and improved quality of life in patients after 4–8 weeks of regular intervention. Furthermore, the combination of nerve gliding exercise with other modalities, such as ultrasound therapy, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), or the use of wrist splints, has been shown to produce more optimal effects than either intervention alone. These findings support the belief that nerve gliding exercise is an effective, simple, inexpensive, and easily applicable therapeutic strategy for CTS patients, particularly high-risk office workers.