Combined Manual Therapy and Percutaneous Neuromodulation for Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Combined Manual Therapy and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation, Postsurgical Rehabilitation.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Basic parameters: 30 years — 50 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Spain
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Combined Manual Therapy and Percutaneous Neuromodulation Versus Postsurgical Rehabilitation for Moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Protocol for a Non-Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy and can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and functional impairment of the hand. Although surgical decompression is considered an effective treatment for moderate CTS, there is increasing interest in conservative therapeutic strategies that may improve symptoms and function while avoiding surgery. The aim of this multicenter non-randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention consisting of manual therapy and ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation compared with conventional postsurgical rehabilitation in patients with moderate CTS. Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive a standardized multimodal physiotherapy program including manual therapy techniques and ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation, whereas participants in the control group will undergo standard rehabilitation following carpal tunnel release surgery. The primary outcome will be symptom severity and functional status assessed with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, nerve conduction parameters, ultrasound measures, hand strength, patient-reported outcomes, and adverse events. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the potential role of combined conservative treatment as an alternative therapeutic strategy for patients with moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Detailed description
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent peripheral entrapment neuropathy and represents a major cause of pain, sensory disturbances, and functional disability affecting the upper limb. Although surgical decompression is commonly recommended for patients with moderate CTS, interest in conservative treatment strategies has increased due to their potential to improve symptoms while avoiding surgery and its associated risks.
This multicenter non-randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of a multimodal conservative intervention consisting of manual therapy combined with ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation versus conventional postsurgical rehabilitation in adults diagnosed with moderate CTS.
Group allocation will be based on clinical background. Participants with previous carpal tunnel release surgery will constitute the postsurgical rehabilitation group, whereas participants without previous surgery who meet the eligibility criteria will receive the combined conservative intervention. Statistical analyses will account for baseline differences between groups using propensity score adjustment in addition to intention-to-treat principles.
The primary objective is to determine whether the combined conservative intervention improves symptom severity and functional status as assessed by the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. Secondary objectives include evaluating pain intensity, electrophysiological and ultrasound parameters, hand function, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment safety.
The results of this study are expected to contribute to the evidence base supporting conservative management strategies for moderate CTS and to inform future comparative clinical trials in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Interventions
- Procedure Combined Manual Therapy and Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation
Participants will receive a multimodal conservative treatment consisting of manual therapy and ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation. Manual therapy will include myofascial release, passive accessory joint mobilization, cervical mobilization when indicated, and median nerve neurodynamic mobilization. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation will be applied to the median nerve using low-frequency electrical stimulation according to a standardized protocol. - Other Postsurgical Rehabilitation
Participants will receive a standardized physiotherapy program following carpal tunnel release surgery, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), active and passive mobilization exercises, strengthening exercises, stretching, cryotherapy, and soft tissue techniques as clinically indicated.
Primary outcome measures
- Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) total score [Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Pain intensity [Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Adults aged 30 to 50 years.
- Clinical diagnosis of moderate carpal tunnel syndrome confirmed by nerve conduction studies according to the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine criteria.
- Symptoms persisting for at least 3 months.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
- Previous surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome in the affected hand (experimental group only).
- Severe carpal tunnel syndrome requiring urgent surgical intervention.
- History of wrist fracture or major upper-limb trauma affecting the study limb.
- Pregnancy.
- Diabetes mellitus or other systemic diseases associated with peripheral neuropathy.
- Cervical radiculopathy or other neurological disorders affecting the upper limb.
- Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthropathies involving the wrist.
- Previous corticosteroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome within the last 3 months.
- Contraindications to percutaneous neuromodulation (e.g., pacemaker, active infection at the treatment site, bleeding disorders, or anticoagulant therapy when considered clinically inappropriate).
- Inability to comply with the study protocol or follow-up assessments.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Spain · 1 center
- European University of Valencia — Valencia
Publications
- American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Academy of Neurology, and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Practice parameter for electrodiagnostic studies in carpal tunnel syndrome: summary statement. Muscle Nerve. 2002 Jun;25(6):918-22. doi: 10.1002/mus.10185. No abstract available. PMID 12115985
- Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Ortega-Santiago R, De-la-Llave-Rincon AI, Cleland JA, Pareja JA, Fahandezh-Saddi-Diaz H, Arias-Buria JL. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation versus surgery for women with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized parallel-group trial. Eur J Pain. 2023 Aug;27(7):860-870. doi: 10.1002/ejp.2117. Epub 2023 Apr 7. PMID 36987682
- San-Emeterio-Iglesias R, Minaya-Munoz F, Romero-Morales C, De-la-Cruz-Torres B. Correct Sciatic Nerve Management to Apply Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Neuromodulation in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study. Neuromodulation. 2021 Aug;24(6):1067-1074. doi: 10.1111/ner.13396. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID 33876885
- Mogedano-Cruz S, Lopez-Perez M, Gijon-Lago D, Romero-Morales C, Alonso-Perez JL, Villafane JH, Saiz SLJ, Sosa-Reina MD. Peripheral Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for Neuropathies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Pain Manag Nurs. 2025 Feb;26(1):93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2024.11.005. Epub 2024 Dec 13. PMID 39674759
- Beltran-Alacreu H, Serrano-Munoz D, Martin-Caro Alvarez D, Fernandez-Perez JJ, Gomez-Soriano J, Avendano-Coy J. Percutaneous Versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Med. 2022 Aug 1;23(8):1387-1400. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnac027. PMID 35167691
- Fernandez-de-Las-Penas C, Cleland JA, Salom-Moreno J, Palacios-Cena M, Martinez-Perez A, Pareja JA, Ortega-Santiago R. Prediction of Outcome in Women With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Who Receive Manual Physical Therapy Interventions: A Validation Study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2016 Jun;46(6):443-51. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6348. Epub 2016 Mar 23. PMID 27011304
- Fernandez-de-Las Penas C, Ortega-Santiago R, de la Llave-Rincon AI, Martinez-Perez A, Fahandezh-Saddi Diaz H, Martinez-Martin J, Pareja JA, Cuadrado-Perez ML. Manual Physical Therapy Versus Surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial. J Pain. 2015 Nov;16(11):1087-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.07.012. Epub 2015 Aug 15. PMID 26281946
- Bland JD. Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ. 2007 Aug 18;335(7615):343-6. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39282.623553.AD. No abstract available. PMID 17703044
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07654621 · UEV-CTS-MTPNM-2026-01