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CompletedNCT07779096CTSUpdated Aug 21, 2026

Effect of Neural Mobilization on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

An interventional study of Neuromobilization in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), sponsored by Cairo University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to female participants aged 45 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-21.

Sponsored by Cairo University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
30
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
45 Years to 55 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

The study group (G1) consisted of 15 patients treated by neural mobilization techniques targeting the median nerve, in addition to a selected physical therapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, and strengthening exercises for the wrist and hand muscles. The control group (G2) consisted of 15 patients treated only by the same selected physical therapy program as in G1, without neural mobilization.

All outcome variables (median nerve cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and flexor retinaculum bowing measured by diagnostic ultrasound; hand grip strength measured by handheld dynamometer; and symptom severity and functional status measured by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) were assessed pre-treatment and after 6 weeks of intervention, for comparison within and between groups.

Read the detailed description

The study group (G1) consisted of 15 patients treated by neural mobilization techniques targeting the median nerve, in addition to a selected physical therapy program including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), therapeutic ultrasound, and strengthening exercises for the wrist and hand muscles. The control group (G2) consisted of 15 patients treated only by the same selected physical therapy program as in G1, without neural mobilization.

All outcome variables (median nerve cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and flexor retinaculum bowing measured by diagnostic ultrasound; hand grip strength measured by handheld dynamometer; and symptom severity and functional status measured by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) were assessed pre-treatment and after 6 weeks of intervention, for comparison within and between groups.

02

Conditions studied

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Keywords

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Neural mobilization
  • Diagnostic ultrasound
  • Median nerve
  • Handheld dynamometer
  • Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
45 Years to 55 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Female patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) confirmed by electrophysiological nerve conduction study Age range: 45-55years Unilateral or bilateral CTS (mild to moderate severity) Symptom duration of at least 3 months (chronic cases) No previous surgical intervention for CTS Willing to participate and sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe CTS requiring surgical intervention Previous wrist surgery or fracture history Cervical radiculopathy or thoracic outlet syndrome (double crush syndrome)
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
30 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Study group (G1)

    Neural mobilization Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Therapeutic ultrasound Stretching / strengthening exercises

    Other: Neuromobilization

  • Active comparator
    control group (G2)

    Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) Therapeutic ultrasound Stretching / strengthening exercises

    Other: Neuromobilization

Interventions

  • OtherNeuromobilization

    Neuromobilization (also called Neural Mobilization or Neurodynamic Techniques) is a conservative physiotherapy intervention that aims to restore the normal mechanical movement of the median nerve through the carpal tunnel and surrounding tissues.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in pain intensity measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

    Pain intensity was assessed using the 0-10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain.

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in symptom severity measured by the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ)

    Symptom severity was assessed using the SSS of the BCTQ (11 items, each scored 1-5; higher mean score indicates more severe symptoms).

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

  2. Change in functional status measured by the Functional Status Scale (FSS) of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ)

    Functional status was assessed using the FSS of the BCTQ (8 items, each scored 1-5; higher mean score indicates greater functional impairment).

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

  3. Change in hand grip strength measured by a handheld dynamometer

    Maximum hand grip strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer (in kg).

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

  4. Change in median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) measured by diagnostic ultrasound

    CSA of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet was measured by diagnostic ultrasonography (in mm²).

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

  5. Change in median nerve flattening ratio measured by diagnostic ultrasound

    The flattening ratio of the median nerve was measured by diagnostic ultrasonography.

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

  6. Change in flexor retinaculum (palmar) bowing measured by diagnostic ultrasound

    Palmar bowing of the flexor retinaculum was measured by diagnostic ultrasonography (in mm).

    Time frame: Baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment

06

Study locations

1 site
  • Physical Therapy Cairo University
    Cairo, Other (Non US) 12511, Egypt
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07779096
Lead sponsor
Cairo University
Responsible party
Trevena Elia Eskander (Physiotherapist, Cairo University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 21, 2026
Start date
Jan 1, 2023
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2025
Completion
Oct 25, 2025
Last update
Aug 21, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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