An interventional study of Physical Therapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, sponsored by Brooke Army Medical Center. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-02-05.
Sponsored by Brooke Army Medical Center · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is typically based on clinical findings and confirmatory electrodiagnostic testing. However, electrodiagnostic testing can only assess large A-alpha and A-beta nerve fibers. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a series of tests used to assess small nerve fiber changes in the A-delta, c-fibers, and A-beta nerve fibers as well. Previous studies have used QST to assess small nerve fiber changes related to carpal tunnel syndrome and found changes compared to controls. This study will utilize a course of standard physical therapy care and assess for any changes to small nerve fiber activity and how those changes may or may not relate to patient outcomes.
Purpose: To assess changes in A-beta, A-deta, and C-fiber function after standard physical therapy interventions in individuals with CTS.
Specific Aim 1 (primary aim): Determine if A-beta, A-deta, and C-fiber functions change following a course of Physical Therapy (PT) in individuals with CTS.
Specific Aim 2 (secondary aim): Describe the relationship between changes in QST and changes in a patient-reported outcome measure after a course of PT in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CTS.
Specific Aim 3 (secondary aim): Determine if there are differences in A-beta, A-deta, and C-fiber function between the affected and unaffected wrists in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of CTS.
589 studies on the registry are indexed under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; 139 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 48 is below the median of 60 across 445 interventional studies indexed under Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Browse Carpal Tunnel Syndrome studies →Brooke Army Medical Center is the lead sponsor of 92 studies on the registry; 11 are open to participants now.
Of its 8 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (25%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
DEERS eligible Age 18-65 Pain and paresthesia in the median nerve distribution A positive Phalen test A positive Tinel test over the carpal tunnel Willing to attend physical therapy
Exclusion Criteria:
Nerve root signs consistent with a radiculopathy Suspected radial and ulnar nerve involvement based on monofilament testing Bilateral CTS Previous hand surgery Injections in the upper quarter in the last 6 months Cervical, shoulder, or UE trauma in the last 6 months Currently pregnant or postpartum within the last 6 months No more than minimal care (evaluation and patient education, 1 visit) for the current episode
Age 18-65 years with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other: Physical Therapy
The intervention will be physical therapy standard care.
Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)
QST is a test method that measures sensory thresholds for temperature sensations, touch, vibration, and pain and is described in section 10.1. All thermal testing (CDT, WDT, CPT, and HPT) will be performed via the TSA 2 Thermosensory Stimulator.
Time frame: From enrollment until the end of the study at 12 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ)
The BCTQ is a self-based outcome scale measured with 2-parts, the symptom severity scale and functional status scale. Both scales are likert scales 1-5.
Time frame: From enrollment until the end of the study at 12 weeks
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
he NPRS is an 11-point scale ('0' indicating no pain, and '10' worst imaginable pain) that will be used to assess pain intensity. This will be measured as the mean of three pain ratings: best pain rating over 24 hours, worst pain rating over 24 hours, and current pain rating.
Time frame: From enrollment until the end of the study at 12 weeks
Plan to share: Undecided — Requests for deidentified data will be considered on a case by case basis.
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