Paraffin bath versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy: effects on median nerve thickness in carpal tunnel syndrome
Investigation of the Effects of Two Different Physiotherapy Modalities on Median Nerve Thickness, Electrophysiological Activity, Pain Intensity and Quality of Life in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - An Observational Study
This will test if paraffin baths or extracorporeal shock wave therapy better reduce median nerve swelling and relieve numbness and pain in adults aged 30–60 with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Karadeniz Technical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07167667 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study will enroll 60 adults with clinician-diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome and randomly assign them to one of two physiotherapy approaches. One group receives 10 paraffin bath sessions and the other group receives 5 sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). Outcomes are measured before and after treatment using ultrasound measurement of median nerve thickness, electromyography, a visual analog pain scale, and the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. A specialist physician performs the pre- and post-treatment evaluations at a single center in Istanbul.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 30–60 years old with clinician-diagnosed mild-to-moderate (stage 1–3) carpal tunnel syndrome, symptoms in the first three and part of the fourth finger, and positive Phalen/Tinel or Durkan tests who are appropriate for either a 10-session paraffin course or a 5-session ESWT course are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with thenar muscle atrophy, severe sensory/motor loss of the median nerve, prior hand/wrist surgery or injury, cervical radiculopathy/stenosis, or recent corticosteroid injection are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could show which non-surgical treatment more effectively reduces nerve swelling and symptoms, helping clinicians choose better conservative care for CTS.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that ESWT can reduce symptoms for some patients with CTS while heat therapies like paraffin have more mixed evidence, and using ultrasound to measure median nerve thickness is an established outcome measure.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals between the ages of 30-60 who have been diagnosed with CTS by a specialist physician according to international criteria (Those between Stages 1-3), * Those who have complaints of numbness, tingling, and pain in the first three fingers and half of the fourth finger, * Phalen Test and Tinel sign or Durkan Test being positive * Patients who will receive 5 sessions of ESWT application prescribed by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist Physician (for the ESWT group) * Patients who have been recommended 10 sessions of Paraffin application by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist Physician (for the Paraffin group) Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of atrophy in the thenar muscles, * Insufficient sensory and motor response in the median nerve, * History of hand and/or wrist injury or surgery, * Those with cervical stenosis, cervical spondylosis, or cervical radiculopathy, * Corticosteroids in the carpal tunnel area within the last six months those who have had an injection, * Pregnancy or diabetes, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Baltalimani Metin Sabanci Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospita — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Esra Sonbahar Bolat, Physician
- Email: esra.sonbahar@hotmail.com
- Phone: +9005052686709
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.