Patient-Directed Care After Carpal Tunnel Release Using Video Integration and Digital Education After Operations (VIDEO Trial): A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Randall G Bissette, Jadon H Beck, Camden O Novikova et al.
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In 30 seconds
This prospective randomized controlled trial compared scheduled in-person follow-up with video education and patient-directed care after in-office carpal tunnel release. Eighty-three patients were analyzed. The VIDEO group received three brief educational videos and had no scheduled in-person visits, while retaining access to messaging and unplanned care. Improvement in PROMIS Upper Extremity scores was noninferior to that with in-person follow-up. VIDEO participants also missed less work and spent less time traveling; complications and use of unplanned visits, calls, and messages did not differ between groups.
Key findings
- PROMIS UE CAT 2.0 score improvements with VIDEO care were noninferior to improvements with scheduled in-person follow-up.
- VIDEO participants missed less time from work and spent less time traveling.
- Complications, unplanned visits, phone calls, and patient messages did not differ between groups.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that routine postoperative visits may not be necessary for every patient after carpal tunnel release when brief video education and access to unplanned care are available. A patient-directed model may reduce work and travel burdens without worsening the measured functional outcome in this trial, while maintaining routes for patients to seek additional help.
What to keep in mind
The trial analyzed 83 patients and studied in-office open carpal tunnel release; its findings may not apply to all patients or surgical settings.