Splint or Surgery? A randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of splinting versus surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Results are given in the table below (based on data from “Splinting vs. Surgery in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” by Gerritsen et al., Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 288, No. 10).

The results are based on evaluations made one year after the treatment. Using a 0.01 significance level, test the claim that success is independent of the type of treatment. What do the results suggest about treating carpal tunnel syndrome?

Successful Treatment Unsuccessful Treatment Splint Treatment 60 23 Surgery Treatment 67 6