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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06358326

Dry Needling and Rehabilitatin Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Dry needling is used for myofascial release. However, its effectiveness in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well known. It is thought that dry needling may also be an effective treatment for CTS by providing relaxation in the fascial tissue. Therefore, this study will examine the effects of dry needling treatment on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception and disability in patients with CTS.

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Key information

Conditions

Dry Needling Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cumulative Trauma Disorders Facial Pain Median Neuropathy Mononeuropathies Myofacial Pain Nerve Compression Syndromes Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Signs and Symptoms Sprains and Strains Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Pursaklar State Hospital

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the society, which develops due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. With the compression of the median nerve, a pain, numbness and tingling sensation spreading to the hand and wrist affects daily living activities and reduces the quality of life. Thickening and myofascial restriction in the carpal tunnel area also contribute to this situation. For this reason, various treatment methods have been developed for CTS, ranging from conservative treatment to surgery. Dry needling is also an alternative treatment method that can be used for CTS. Dry needling allows the fascial tissue to loosen and re-enter the healing process, leading to a decrease in pain and an increase in quality of life. However, its effectiveness in patients with CTS is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with CTS.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Volunteering to participate in the study.
  • Being between the ages of 18-65.
  • Being diagnosed with mild or moderate stage CTS as a result of the electroneurophysiological test.

Exclusion criteria

  • Having additional neurological, rheumatological and orthopedic disorders.
  • Having had previous hand surgery.
  • Having an additional acute neck, shoulder, elbow and hand problem.
  • Having a BMI of 40 kg/m2 and above.
  • Being pregnant.
  • As a result of the electroneurophysiological test, the data related to the median nerve are at a severe level.

Treatment and study plan

dry needling

Other

In addition to stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon gliding exercises, a total of 5 sessions of dry needling will be performed for fascial mobilization, 2 days a week for 3 weeks.

Control Group

Other

The physiotherapist will teach stretching, neuromobilization and tendon shifting exercises and will be asked to do them regularly for 3 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pain severity

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    It will be evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 10 at 10 mm intervals. 0 indicates absence of pain and the highest value of 10 indicates extreme pain.

  2. Wrist range of motion

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation and radial deviation joint range degrees will be measured using a universal goniometer.

  3. Position sense

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    In the evaluation of joint position sense (proprioception), wrist extension, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion movements will be evaluated with an inclinometer. An increase in deviation from the target angle indicates a worsening of position sense.

  4. Severity of symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    The patients' CTS-related symptom severity and functional status will be evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. The severity of the patient's strain is scored between 1-5. Higher scores indicate greater disability.

  5. Hands activity level

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    Duruöz hand index will be used to evaluate hand-related activity limitations. The survey yields a total score of 0-90, with a higher score indicating greater activity restriction.

  6. Nerve cross-sectional area

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention

    With ultrasonography, the doctor will measure the median nerve cross-sectional area of the individual and the distance between the median nerve flexor retinaculum.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Karabuk University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Dry Needling in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Apr 10, 2024
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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