Neck and upper-back exercises added to standard physiotherapy for carpal tunnel syndrome
Karpal Tünel Sendromu Olan Bireylerde Servikotorakal Egzersizlerin Etkinliğinin Araştırılması
This will test whether adding neck and upper-back (cervicothoracic) exercises to standard physiotherapy helps adults with carpal tunnel syndrome reduce pain and improve hand strength and movement.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medipol University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Istanbul, Pendik and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07410819 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized, parallel-group controlled trial will enroll 60 adults with carpal tunnel syndrome and randomly assign them to conventional physiotherapy alone or conventional physiotherapy plus cervicothoracic exercises (30 per group). The conventional program includes TENS, therapeutic ultrasound, median nerve mobilization, wrist range-of-motion exercises, and strengthening. The additional cervicothoracic program targets cervical mobility and scapular stabilization alongside the conventional treatments. Primary outcomes include pain, functional status, grip strength, and range of motion in patients with symptoms of at least 12 weeks and positive Tinel or Phalen tests.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 with physician-diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 12 weeks, positive Tinel or Phalen tests, and pain ≥40 mm on the VAS who have no ulnar or radial nerve deficits and no prior wrist surgery or injections are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with concurrent ulnar or radial neuropathy, prior wrist surgery or injections, recent neck/shoulder trauma, pregnancy, or concurrent cervical radiculopathy or polyneuropathy are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding cervicothoracic exercises could reduce wrist pain and improve grip strength and hand function, potentially delaying or avoiding more invasive treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small trials and physiotherapy reports have shown mixed but sometimes promising results when adding cervical and scapular exercises to hand-focused therapy, so the approach has some supportive but not definitive evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age over 18 * Symptom duration of at least 12 weeks, * Information about carpal tunnel syndrome received from a physician, * Positive Tinel or Phalen test in carpal compression test, * Pain intensity, Visual Analog Scale, at least 40 mm out of 100 mm Exclusion Criteria: * Any sensory or motor deficit in the ulnar or radial nerve * History of previous surgery or injection in the wrist * Trauma to the neck, shoulder, or upper extremity * Pregnancy * Concurrent cervical radiculopathy or polyneuropathy
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Pendik and 1 other locations
- Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital — Istanbul, Pendik, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
- Istanbul Medipol University & Istanbul Medipol University Pendik Hospital — Istanbul, Pendik, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Zehranur Kaya, MSc Student
- Email: zehrakayax@icloud.com
- Phone: +905346240476
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.