Radial Pressure Wave Therapy With or Without Parameter Modulation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Armando Tonatiuh Avila Garcia60 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of radial pressure wave therapy in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive radial pressure wave therapy using either a modulated or a constant parameter dosing protocol. The intervention consists of three weekly sessions, and outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months after the first session. The primary outcome is pain intensity measured by the Visual Analog Scale, while secondary outcomes include functional status evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, grip strength, and electrodiagnostic parameters of the median nerve. The study is conducted in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service of the Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde," and has been approved by the hospital's Ethics Committee.

This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial designed to explore the effects of different dosing strategies of radial pressure wave therapy in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Sixty patients aged 18 to 75 years, with clinical and electrodiagnostic confirmation of CTS, will be recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to one of two intervention groups: (1) RPWT with constant parameters; or (2) RPWT with modulated parameters (progressive variation of frequency and pressure during each session). All participants will receive three weekly sessions of RPWT and follow a standardized home-based exercise protocol for wrist and hand mobility. The primary outcome will be the change in pain intensity, measured with the Visual Analog Scale VAS. Secondary outcomes include functional status assessed with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, grip strength using a calibrated hydraulic hand dynamometer, and neurophysiological parameters such as sensory conduction velocity, distal motor latency, and CMAP amplitude of the median nerve. Neurophysiological evaluations will be performed using the Nicolet Viking Quest system following standardized protocols. Assessments will take place at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months after treatment initiation, except for electrodiagnostic studies which will be performed only at baseline and at 4 months. Statistical analysis will include mixed-design repeated measures ANOVA to assess intra- and inter-group effects and time-by-group interactions. The study complies with ethical standards and good clinical practice guidelines.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Interventions

Fixed-Dose Radial Pressure Wave Therapy.DEVICE

Radial pressure wave therapy will be delivered using the BTL-6000 device. Parameters such as frequency and pressure will remain constant throughout each session. Each participant will receive one session per week for three weeks. The treatment will follow a standardized protocol previously established in the literature and based on patient tolerance.

Modulated-Dose Radial Pressure Wave Therapy.DEVICE

The BTL-6000 device will be used to deliver therapy with dynamic modulation of frequency and/or pressure within each session, following a structured protocol aiming to optimize clinical response.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 75 years. * Clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome based on symptoms such as nocturnal paresthesia, numbness in the median nerve distribution, and/or thenar weakness. * At least one positive provocative test (e.g., Tinel's, Phalen's, or Durkan's test). * Symptoms present for at least 1 month. * NPRS (Numeric Pain Rating Scale) score ≥ 4 at baseline. * Able and willing to attend all intervention sessions and follow-up assessments. * Able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Prior wrist surgery on the affected side. * Prior treatment with radial pressure wave therapy for CTS. * Diagnosis of polyneuropathy, cervical radiculopathy, or systemic conditions affecting nerve function (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis). * Severe thenar atrophy or muscle wasting. * Pacemaker or other implanted electronic devices. * Pregnancy. * Currently participating in another clinical trial or intervention study. * Inability to understand or complete the study procedures.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Pain Intensity Measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.

Pain intensity will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain). The primary endpoint is the change in Numeric Pain Rating Scale score from baseline to the follow-up visits.

Time frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 4 months after treatment initiation.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Self-Reported Function Using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire.

Function will be evaluated with the Functional Status Scale of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, which includes 8 items rated from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (cannot perform activity). The mean score will be analyzed.

Time frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 4 months after treatment initiation.

Grip strength measured with hydraulic hand dynamometer.

Grip strength will be assessed using a calibrated Baseline® hydraulic hand dynamometer (range: 0-100 kg), following the standardized protocol recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists. Patients will be seated with the shoulder adducted and neutrally rotated, elbow flexed at 90°, forearm in neutral position, and wrist in slight extension. Each participant will perform three maximal grip attempts, with brief rest periods in between, and the highest value will be recorded for analysis.

Time frame: Baseline, 2 months, and 4 months after the first treatment session.

Change in Distal Motor Latency of the Median Nerve.

Distal motor latency of the median nerve will be assessed using standard nerve conduction study protocols with surface electrodes and supramaximal stimulation. Values will be recorded in milliseconds, and the change from baseline to follow-up will be analyzed.