Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07660328

Hand Function Outcome After the Application of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive on Post-burn Patients Presented With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy that can develop as a secondary complication following deep burns involving the hand or wrist. Post-burn CTS arises due to factors such as fibrosis, edema, and scar contracture, which may increase pressure on the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, leading to significant pain, sensory disturbances, and impaired hand function Recent studies support the effectiveness of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR ) therapy in idiopathic CTS, showing improvements in pain, symptom severity, and function, as measured by validated tools such as the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

A study reported that both TECAR and ultrasound groups showed significant symptom improvement after treatment, although ultrasound had more sustained effects on median nerve cross-sectional area at 3 months

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Post-burn Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cumulative Trauma Disorders Median Neuropathy Mononeuropathies Nerve Compression Syndromes Nervous System Diseases Neuromuscular Diseases Peripheral Nervous System Diseases Sprains and Strains Wounds and Injuries

Age range

20 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

This study will involve 52 patients diagnosed with CTS post-burn; they will receive TECAR as an intervention. The outcome measures include ( VAS, Arabic version of Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, and Camry Digital Handgrip Dynamometer

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participant is between 20 and 40 years of age.
  • Diagnosed with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  • History of an upper limb burn, with the percentage of the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) ranging from 20% to 25%.
  • Upper limb burn is diagnosed as a 2nd or 3rd-degree burn complicated with carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis is clinically confirmed using physical examination, including a positive Tinel's sign and positive Phalen's test.
  • Participant provides written informed consent before enrollment.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of double crush syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, or fibromyalgia.
  • History of wrist fracture or distal radius fracture.
  • Diagnosis of systemic or local diseases that contribute to peripheral neuropathy, including Diabetes Mellitus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • Diagnosis of hypothyroidism, skin diseases, or peripheral vascular diseases.
  • Current or past history of cancer.
  • Use of a hand or wrist splint within the past three months.
  • Presence of an implanted pacemaker or electrical prosthesis.

Treatment and study plan

Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive (TECAR) [ SMART TECAR }

Device

TECAR therapy at a frequency of 0.5 MHz and intensity of 30 to 50% and medium Capacitive Energy Transfer electrode (60 mm), 5 min capacitive (CAP) and 10 min resistive (RES), The passive electrode was fixed to the dorsum of the hand while the active electrode was moved in a circular manner from the proximal carpal tunnel to the median nerve pathway of the palm in three sessions per week for two weeks

Standard Hand Rehabilitation [ US }

Other

US using a 3 MHz probe at a dose of 1.5 watts/cm2 for 5 min intermittently for 2 weeks, 5 times a week, plus mobility and strengthening exercises

Primary outcomes

  1. Symptom Severity

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks

    The Arabic version of the BCTQ-SSS will be used to self-report symptom severity. It consists of 11 items assessing pain, numbness, paresthesia, weakness, and nocturnal symptoms. Each item is scored from 1 (never/none) to 5 (most severe). The overall score is calculated as the mean of the items, ranging from 1 to 5, where higher scores indicate worse symptom severity.

  2. Functional Status

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks.

    The Arabic version of the BCTQ-FSS will be used to evaluate hand function across 8 common activities. Each activity is scored from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (cannot perform the activity at all). The total score is the mean of the items, ranging from 1 to 5, where higher scores represent greater functional impairment.

  3. Grip Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks.

    Objective hand function and force production of the median nerve-innervated muscles will be measured using a Camry Digital Handgrip Dynamometer. Measurements are recorded in kilograms (kg), up to a maximum strength of 90 kg. Higher scores indicate greater hand grip strength.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks.

    Pain intensity will be measured using the Arabic version of the VAS, where patients mark their current pain level on a 10-cm line. The scale ranges from 0 cm ("no pain") to 10 cm ("worst pain"). Higher scores represent greater pain severity.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ahmed abdelnasr Mohamed Youness, Demonstrator (TA)

CONTACT

[email protected]

+2001553712231

Nada Mohamed Yousef, Lecturer

CONTACT

[email protected]

+2001002010168

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Post Burn

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 25, 2026

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.