Investigation of the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Kinesiotaping Applied as an Addition to Conservative Treatment in Individuals With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT06981715

Last Updated: 2025-07-01

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 54 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-05-17
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-26

Brief Summary

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of different treatment combinations in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Participants were divided into three groups: The control group received only night splinting and exercise programme, while the second group received extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in addition. The third group received kinesiobanding in addition to night splinting, exercise and ESWT. The study evaluates the effect of multimodal conservative treatment approaches on CTS symptoms and aims to demonstrate the additional benefits of ESWT and kinesiobanding in particular. The findings provide important clues for clinical practice.

Detailed Description

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy resulting from compression of the median nerve at the wrist level, with symptoms such as paresthesia, pain and loss of muscle strength. This study comparatively evaluated the effects of different conservative treatment combinations on symptoms and functional status in individuals with CTS. Participants were divided into three groups. The control group received the standard conservative approach of night splinting and exercise programme. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) group received ESWT, which is known to increase tissue regeneration and blood flow, in addition to night splinting and exercise. In the ESWT+Taping group, in addition to night splinting, exercise and ESWT, kinesiobanding, which aims to provide proprioceptive support and reduce oedema, was applied. Pain intensity, symptom severity, functionality, hand grip strength and electrophysiological parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. This study draws attention to the importance of multidisciplinary and holistic approaches in the treatment of CTS and offers important contributions to clinical practice.

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Control Group

Control Group:

Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1-2 times a day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Conservative treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

Night Splint Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1-2 times a day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

ESWT group

ESWT group:

Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1 time per day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

ESWT Protocol:

Device Radial ESWT device

Area of application Wrist volar surface (carpal tunnel area)

Parameters

Frequency: 5 Hz

4 Bar

Number of beats 2000 pulses/session

Application time 5-10 minutes per session

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Conservative treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

Night Splint Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1-2 times a day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

ESWT

Intervention Type: OTHER

ESWT Protocol:

Device Radial ESWT device Area of application Wrist volar surface (carpal tunnel area) Parameters Frequency: 5 Hz 4 Bar Number of beats 2000 pulses/session Application time 5-10 minutes per session

ESWT+Taping Group

ESWT+Taping Group:

Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1 time per day Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching) Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

ESWT Protocol:

Device Radial ESWT device Area of application Wrist volar surface (carpal tunnel area) Parameters Frequency: 5 Hz 4 Bar Number of beats 2000 pulses/session

Kinesiobanding technique Kinesio taping was performed with the Button hole technique described by Dr Kenzo Kase. In this technique, a kinesio tape was measured and cut from the medial and lateral epicondyle level on the palmar side of the forearm, from the base of the proximal phalanges to the epicondyles of the humerus on the dorsal side of the forearm.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Conservative treatment

Intervention Type: OTHER

Night Splint Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1-2 times a day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

ESWT

Intervention Type: OTHER

ESWT Protocol:

Device Radial ESWT device Area of application Wrist volar surface (carpal tunnel area) Parameters Frequency: 5 Hz 4 Bar Number of beats 2000 pulses/session Application time 5-10 minutes per session

Kinesiotaping

Intervention Type: OTHER

Kinesio taping was performed with the Button hole technique described by Dr Kenzo Kase. In this technique, a kinesio tape was measured and cut from the medial and lateral epicondyle level on the palmar side of the forearm, from the base of the proximal phalanges to the epicondyles of the humerus on the dorsal side of the forearm. The tape was folded and the midpoint was found, 2 short incisions were made and 2 button holes were obtained through which the 3rd and 4th finger would pass. The paper behind the band was torn and the 3rd and 4th fingers were passed through the holes. The patient's wrist was brought to extension and radial deviation and the tape was glued with a slight (15-25%) tension towards the medial epicondyle on the palmar side of the forearm. Then the wrist was flexed and ulnar deviated and the tape was glued with a slight (15-25%) tension towards the lateral epicondyle.

Interventions

Conservative treatment

Night Splint Resting splint fixing the ankle in neutral position

Worn every night before going to bed, used for 6-8 hours

Objective: To reduce the pressure on the median nerve

Exercise Programme:

Applied 1-2 times a day

Each exercise 10 repetitions, 2 sets

Content:

Nerve mobilisation exercises (median nerve sliding and stretching)

Wrist stretching and flexor-extensor tendon sliding exercises

Finger opening-closing, fist making exercises

Intervention Type: OTHER

ESWT

ESWT Protocol:

Device Radial ESWT device Area of application Wrist volar surface (carpal tunnel area) Parameters Frequency: 5 Hz 4 Bar Number of beats 2000 pulses/session Application time 5-10 minutes per session

Intervention Type: OTHER

Kinesiotaping

Kinesio taping was performed with the Button hole technique described by Dr Kenzo Kase. In this technique, a kinesio tape was measured and cut from the medial and lateral epicondyle level on the palmar side of the forearm, from the base of the proximal phalanges to the epicondyles of the humerus on the dorsal side of the forearm. The tape was folded and the midpoint was found, 2 short incisions were made and 2 button holes were obtained through which the 3rd and 4th finger would pass. The paper behind the band was torn and the 3rd and 4th fingers were passed through the holes. The patient's wrist was brought to extension and radial deviation and the tape was glued with a slight (15-25%) tension towards the medial epicondyle on the palmar side of the forearm. Then the wrist was flexed and ulnar deviated and the tape was glued with a slight (15-25%) tension towards the lateral epicondyle.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Male or female patients between the ages of 18 and 65 who applied to Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic and were diagnosed with moderate or mild carpal tunnel syndrome by clinical, physical examination and EMG
• Patients who understand and can apply the patient information form
• Patients who gave consent and participated in the study according to the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria

• Cervical radiculopathy
• Polyneuropathy
• Brachial plexopathy
• History of trauma or fracture of the wrist and forearm
• Systemic corticosteroid use, history of malignancy
• History of carpal tunnel syndrome surgery
• Pregnant and lactating women
• Severe carpal tunnel syndrome, tenar atrophy on physical examination 9.
• Patient reluctance to participate in treatment

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mehmet CANLI

Lecturer

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Mehmet CANLI, PhD.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

Locations

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kırşehir, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

43834581758!

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id