Correlation of Self-efficacy with Short-term Outcome after Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel release (CTR) surgery provides rapid symptom relief, however the prognostic role of cognitive factors such as self-efficacy remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine, in an exploratory manner, whether preoperative general self-efficacy (GSE) is associated with functional outcomes, complications, and return-to-work time following CTR. DESIGN: Prospective multicenter observational cohort study of 58 adults with clinically and electrophysiologically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome undergoing CTR at three outpatient sites (August 2023-October 2025). Preoperative GSE (Schwarzer-Jerusalem scale, 10-40) was correlated with postoperative Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale (BCTSQ-SSS) and Functional Status Scale (BCTSQ-FSS) scores using Spearman's rho and linear mixed models. Secondary outcomes included complications and return-to-work time. RESULTS: Mean preoperative GSE was 32.1 ± 5.4. Higher GSE was weakly associated with better BCTSQ outcomes in unadjusted analysis (SSS: rho=-0.29, P=0.03; FSS: rho=-0.26, P=0.04). In adjusted linear mixed models (age, sex, center), GSE remained associated with better BCTSQ-FSS (P=0.037) but not with symptom severity, magnitude of change over time or with return-to-work time (rho=0.19, P=0.34). Wound healing complications occurred in 6.9% (n=4). CONCLUSION: GSE alone is not an independent prognostic factor but may be one component of a multifactorial recovery process.