Using brain stimulation to improve physical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome
Official title: Enhancing Physical Therapy: Noninvasive Brain Stimulation System for Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Funded at Highland Instruments, INC. · NIH-10706948 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with carpal tunnel syndrome by using a special non-invasive treatment that targets how the brain processes pain, aiming to make physical therapy more effective and reduce chronic pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Highland Instruments, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $745,511 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AR076885-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10706948 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome who experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have carpal tunnel syndrome or those whose pain is not related to neurological factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by utilizing a non-invasive brain stimulation system called Electrosonic Stimulation (ESStim™). The study aims to address chronic pain associated with CTS by targeting the brain's processing of pain sensations, rather than just the peripheral symptoms. By combining electromagnetic and ultrasonic fields, this method seeks to enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy and improve patient outcomes. Participants will undergo treatment that focuses on altering brain activity related to pain perception.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce chronic pain for patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, leading to improved quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that non-invasive brain stimulation can be effective in treating chronic pain in other conditions, suggesting potential success for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Highland Instruments, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Timothy Andrew — Highland Instruments, INC.
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Timothy Andrew
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
mHealth tool to boost physical therapy outcomes for adults with musculoskeletal pain
A mobile health app is being tested to help adults in physical therapy stay on track with home exercises and improve pain and function.
-
Improving back-pain care in rural areas with tele-physical therapy
This project tests a tele-rehabilitation program to help adults with chronic low back pain in rural communities access physical therapy and reduce opioid use.
-
Embedded ED Physical Therapy for Back Pain in the Emergency Department
A dedicated physical therapist works with ED teams to help adults with back pain feel better sooner and reduce opioid use.
-
Psilocybin for Chronic Back Pain: Brain Signals and Real-World Therapy Outcomes
A patient-facing study will test whether a carefully controlled psilocybin treatment can improve body awareness and enhance physical therapy outcomes for people with chronic low back pain.
-
Consultative Physical Therapy to Promote Exercise in Parkinson's Disease
A program helps people with Parkinson’s start and keep up more exercise through fewer, regular guidance sessions from physical therapists.
-
Improving access to physical therapy for Hispanic patients with back and spine pain
This program will try a culturally tailored approach to help Hispanic adults with spine pain get referred to and stick with physical therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.