Combined Manual Therapy and Percutaneous Neuromodulation for Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (NCT07654621) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Combined Manual Therapy and Percutaneous Neuromodulation for Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Spain150 participantsStarted 2026-07
Plain-language summary
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy and can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and functional impairment of the hand. Although surgical decompression is considered an effective treatment for moderate CTS, there is increasing interest in conservative therapeutic strategies that may improve symptoms and function while avoiding surgery.
The aim of this multicenter non-randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention consisting of manual therapy and ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation compared with conventional postsurgical rehabilitation in patients with moderate CTS.
Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive a standardized multimodal physiotherapy program including manual therapy techniques and ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation, whereas participants in the control group will undergo standard rehabilitation following carpal tunnel release surgery. The primary outcome will be symptom severity and functional status assessed with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, nerve conduction parameters, ultrasound measures, hand strength, patient-reported outcomes, and adverse events.
The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the potential role of combined conservative treatment as an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Who can participate
Age range
30 Years – 50 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 30 to 50 years.
* Clinical diagnosis of moderate carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by nerve conduction studies according to the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine criteria.
* Symptoms persisting for at least 3 months.
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in the affected hand (experimental group only).
* Severe carpal tunnel syndrome requiring urgent surgical intervention.
* History of wrist fracture or major upper-limb trauma affecting the study limb.
* Pregnancy.
* Diabetes mellitus or other systemic diseases associated with peripheral neuropathy.
* Cervical radiculopathy or other neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
* Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthropathies involving the wrist.
* Previous corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome within the last 3 months.
* Contraindications to percutaneous neuromodulation (e.g., pacemaker, active infection at the treatment site, bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant therapy when considered clinically inappropriate).
* Inability to comply with the study protocol or follow-up assessments.
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
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) total score