Peer-reviewed research

Ergonomic positioning or equipment for treating carpal tunnel syndrome

Dennis O'Connor et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD009600

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: A Cochrane review of randomised trials that tested ergonomic positioning or equipment, mainly ergonomic keyboards, for people who already have carpal tunnel syndrome.
How much weight it carries: Cochrane review, so the search and method are strict. It found only two small trials, both comparing ergonomic keyboards with placebo keyboards, so it cannot judge wrist rests or prevention.

Facts taken from this source

The 2022 Cochrane review found insufficient trial evidence to say whether ergonomic positioning or equipment helps or harms people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
“There is insufficient evidence from randomised controlled trials to determine whether ergonomic positioning or equipment is beneficial or harmful for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.” (Authors' conclusions)
In one small trial of 25 people, an ergonomic keyboard reduced pain after 12 weeks, while the second trial found no difference in pain at six months.
“One small study (25 participants) found an ergonomic keyboard reduced pain after 12 weeks but the second study reported no difference in pain severity between the keyboard groups at six months.” (Plain language summary)
The 2022 Cochrane review on carpal tunnel equipment pooled two randomised trials with 105 participants, comparing ergonomic keyboards with placebo keyboards.
“We included two trials (105 participants) comparing ergonomic versus placebo keyboards.” (Main results)

Peer-reviewed research

Dennis O'Connor et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2022 · DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD009600

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: A Cochrane review of randomised trials that tested ergonomic positioning or equipment, mainly ergonomic keyboards, for people who already have carpal tunnel syndrome.
How much weight it carries: Cochrane review, so the search and method are strict. It found only two small trials, both comparing ergonomic keyboards with placebo keyboards, so it cannot judge wrist rests or prevention.

The 2022 Cochrane review found insufficient trial evidence to say whether ergonomic positioning or equipment helps or harms people with carpal tunnel syndrome.
“There is insufficient evidence from randomised controlled trials to determine whether ergonomic positioning or equipment is beneficial or harmful for treating carpal tunnel syndrome.” (Authors' conclusions)
In one small trial of 25 people, an ergonomic keyboard reduced pain after 12 weeks, while the second trial found no difference in pain at six months.
“One small study (25 participants) found an ergonomic keyboard reduced pain after 12 weeks but the second study reported no difference in pain severity between the keyboard groups at six months.” (Plain language summary)
The 2022 Cochrane review on carpal tunnel equipment pooled two randomised trials with 105 participants, comparing ergonomic keyboards with placebo keyboards.
“We included two trials (105 participants) comparing ergonomic versus placebo keyboards.” (Main results)