Magnetotherapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Study (NCT07435961) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Magnetotherapy in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Study
Turkey (Türkiye)60 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
This study is designed to investigate the effectiveness of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in individuals diagnosed with mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This double-blind, randomized controlled trial will randomly assign participants into three groups:
Group 1: Active magnetotherapy
Group 2: Placebo magnetotherapy (treatment using an identical device that does not generate a magnetic field)
Group 3: Routine (conservative) treatment group
All participants will receive a standard nighttime wrist splint and a standardized nerve and tendon gliding exercise protocol. Magnetic field applications will be administered five days per week for a total of 15 sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0), at the end of treatment (T1 - Week 3), at 1 month (T2), and at 3 months (T3).
The primary outcome measures include the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional status measured by QuickDASH, median nerve cross-sectional area assessed by ultrasonography, sensory function evaluated using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, grip strength measured by dynamometry, and clinical test results (Tinel and Phalen tests). Secondary outcomes include sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and patient satisfaction.
This study aims to contribute to the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of magnetotherapy as a non-invasive treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged between 18 and 65 years.
Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) based on physical examination findings, including positive Tinel and/or Phalen tests and hypoesthesia in the 3rd to 5th digits.
Electrophysiologically confirmed mild-to-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome based on electromyography (EMG) findings.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed electrophysiologically by electromyography (EMG).
History of previous surgical intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Presence of other peripheral nerve entrapments (e.g., ulnar nerve entrapment, radial nerve entrapment).
Electrophysiologically confirmed polyneuropathy or cervical radiculopathy/cervical discopathy.
Rheumatologic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus).
Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or Type 2).
Pregnancy.
Presence of electronic implants such as cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, or implantable defibrillator.
Active acute infection.
History of malignancy.
Receipt of physical therapy or rehabilitation for the wrist or surrounding area within the past 6 months.
Corticosteroid injection to the wrist within the past 6 months.
Hyperthyroidism or adrenal gland hyperfunction.
Open growth plates (epiphyseal plates not closed).
Paroxysmal neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy).
Myasthenia gravis.
Regular use of pain medications such as pregabalin, duloxetine, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Symptom Severity Assessed by Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire Symptom Severity Scale