Desensitisation with or without pain neuroscience education for mixed neuropathic/nosiplastic carpal tunnel pain
Determination of the Effectiveness of Desensitisation and Pain Neuroscience Training in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Nosiplastic Pain Phenotype
This trial will test whether adding pain neuroscience education to desensitisation helps adults (18–65) with carpal tunnel syndrome who have a mixed neuropathic and nosiplastic pain pattern.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Kutahya Health Sciences University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kütahya) |
| Trial ID | NCT06635213 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults aged 18–65 with carpal tunnel syndrome who meet the IASP clinical criteria for a nosiplastic pain phenotype and a mixed neuropathic/nosiplastic presentation will be enrolled and randomized. One group receives desensitisation treatment alone and the other receives desensitisation plus structured pain neuroscience education. Outcomes include pain intensity (NRS), symptom severity and function (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire), pressure pain thresholds, catastrophising and kinesiophobia, measured at baseline, immediately after treatment, and three months later. Data will be analyzed with mixed-model ANOVA and appropriate tests for categorical variables.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–65 with clinically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome who meet IASP criteria for the nosiplastic phenotype and show a mixed neuropathic/nosiplastic pain presentation, and who meet the study's inclusion/exclusion criteria, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with pure neuropathic CTS, systemic inflammatory disease, conditions causing polyneuropathy (e.g., diabetes), cervical radiculopathy, prior CTS surgery or local steroid injection, pacemakers, central nervous system disease, or hypersensitivity to heat/cold are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding pain neuroscience education to desensitisation could reduce pain, decrease hypersensitivity, and improve function and pain-related fear in patients with mixed-type carpal tunnel pain.
How similar studies have performed: Pain neuroscience education and desensitisation have shown benefits in other chronic musculoskeletal and some pain conditions, but their combined use specifically for mixed nosiplastic and neuropathic carpal tunnel syndrome is relatively novel and not well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Being diagnosed with CTS * Being suitable for the nosiplastic pain phenotype * Being between the ages of 18-65 * Volunteering to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Having systemic inflammatory disease * Having a disease that may cause polyneuropathy such as diabetes mellitus * Having a pacemaker * Having a disease affecting the central nervous system * Having cervical radiculopathy * History of previous operation or local steroid injection due to CTS * Hypersensitivity to heat and cold
Where this trial is running
Kütahya
- Kutahya Health Science University — Kütahya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emrah Afsar, Phd
- Email: emrah.afsar@ksbu.edu.tr
- Phone: 5062527008
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.