Dry NeedlingNCT06358326
Dry Needling and Rehabilitatin Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A study testing Dry needling in people with Dry Needling and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Dry needling is used for myofascial release. However, its effectiveness in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well known. It is thought that dry needling may also be an effective treatment for CTS by providing relaxation in the fascial tissue. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dry Needling, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Myofacial Pain
- What is being tested?
- Dry needling
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Apr 2024to 30 Nov 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
- Being between the ages of 18-65.
- Being diagnosed with mild or moderate stage CTS as a result of the electroneurophysiological test.
Who cannot join
- Having additional neurological, rheumatological and orthopedic disorders.
- Having had previous hand surgery.
- Having an additional acute neck, shoulder, elbow and hand problem.
- Having a BMI of 40 kg/m2 and above.
- Being pregnant.
- As a result of the electroneurophysiological test, the data related to the median nerve are at a severe level.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Dry Needling in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Dry needling is used for myofascial release. However, its effectiveness in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well known. It is thought that dry needling may also be an effective treatment for CTS by providing relaxation in the fascial tissue. Therefore, this study will examine the effects of dry needling treatment on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception and disability in patients with CTS.
Read the detailed description
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the society, which develops due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. With the compression of the median nerve, a pain, numbness and tingling sensation spreading to the hand and wrist affects daily living activities and reduces the quality of life. Thickening and myofascial restriction in the carpal tunnel area also contribute to this situation. For this reason, various treatment methods have been developed for CTS, ranging from conservative treatment to surgery. Dry needling is also an alternative treatment method that can be used for CTS. Dry needling allows the fascial tissue to loosen and re-enter the healing process, leading to a decrease in pain and an increase in quality of life. However, its effectiveness in patients with CTS is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with CTS.
- Conditions
- Dry Needling, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Myofacial Pain
- Being tested
- Dry needling, Control group
- Medical subject headings
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Facial Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dry needlingOther
In addition to stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon gliding exercises, a total of 5 sessions of dry needling will be performed for fascial mobilization, 2 days a week for 3 weeks.
Control groupOther
The physiotherapist will teach stretching, neuromobilization and tendon shifting exercises and will be asked to do them regularly for 3 weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Group | Experimental | In addition to the exercise given to the control group, the treatment group will receive dry needling in the carpal tunnel area, 2 days a week for 3 weeks, for a total of 5 sessions. Receives: Other: Dry needling |
| Control Group | Active comparator | The control group will be taught and asked to perform stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon-shifting exercises for 3 weeks. Receives: Other: Control group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain severity
It will be evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 10 at 10 mm intervals. 0 indicates absence of pain and the highest value of 10 indicates extreme pain.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Wrist range of motion
Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation and radial deviation joint range degrees will be measured using a universal goniometer.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Position sense
In the evaluation of joint position sense (proprioception), wrist extension, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion movements will be evaluated with an inclinometer. An increase in deviation from the target angle indicates a worsening of position sense.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Severity of symptoms
The patients' CTS-related symptom severity and functional status will be evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. The severity of the patient's strain is scored between 1-5. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Hands activity level
Duruöz hand index will be used to evaluate hand-related activity limitations. The survey yields a total score of 0-90, with a higher score indicating greater activity restriction.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Nerve cross-sectional area
With ultrasonography, the doctor will measure the median nerve cross-sectional area of the individual and the distance between the median nerve flexor retinaculum.
Measured: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Apr 2024
- Study start5 Apr 2024
- Primary completion30 Aug 2024
- Study completion30 Nov 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Dry NeedlingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Parallel Assignment
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Musa Güneş, Karabuk University
- Investigators
- Fidan Yılmaz, MsC, Principal investigator, Pursaklar State HospitalEmime EMİRMAHMUTOĞLU, Bachelors, Principal investigator, Pursaklar State HospitalBanu Gökçen BAYDOĞAN TAN, MD, Study director, Pursaklar State Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06358326
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Karabuk-1
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 5 Apr 2024
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Dry Needling in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06358326
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Karabuk-1
- Conditions
- Dry Needling, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Myofacial Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Karabuk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Apr 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Dry needling is used for myofascial release. However, its effectiveness in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well known. It is thought that dry needling may also be an effective treatment for CTS by providing relaxation in the fascial tissue. Therefore, this study will examine the effects of dry needling treatment on pain, function, range of motion, proprioception and disability in patients with CTS.
Detailed description
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy in the society, which develops due to compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. With the compression of the median nerve, a pain, numbness and tingling sensation spreading to the hand and wrist affects daily living activities and reduces the quality of life. Thickening and myofascial restriction in the carpal tunnel area also contribute to this situation. For this reason, various treatment methods have been developed for CTS, ranging from conservative treatment to surgery. Dry needling is also an alternative treatment method that can be used for CTS. Dry needling allows the fascial tissue to loosen and re-enter the healing process, leading to a decrease in pain and an increase in quality of life. However, its effectiveness in patients with CTS is unknown. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of dry needling in patients with CTS.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Parallel Assignment
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Group | Experimental | Other: Dry needlingIn addition to the exercise given to the control group, the treatment group will receive dry needling in the carpal tunnel area, 2 days a week for 3 weeks, for a total of 5 sessions. |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Control groupThe control group will be taught and asked to perform stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon-shifting exercises for 3 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Volunteering to participate in the study.
- Being between the ages of 18-65.
- Being diagnosed with mild or moderate stage CTS as a result of the electroneurophysiological test.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Having additional neurological, rheumatological and orthopedic disorders.
- Having had previous hand surgery.
- Having an additional acute neck, shoulder, elbow and hand problem.
- Having a BMI of 40 kg/m2 and above.
- Being pregnant.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Dry needlingIn addition to stretching, nerve mobilization and tendon gliding exercises, a total of 5 sessions of dry needling will be performed for fascial mobilization, 2 days a week for 3 weeks. | Other | Treatment Group |
| Control groupThe physiotherapist will teach stretching, neuromobilization and tendon shifting exercises and will be asked to do them regularly for 3 weeks. | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Pain severity
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
It will be evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale. The scale ranges from 1 to 10 at 10 mm intervals. 0 indicates absence of pain and the highest value of 10 indicates extreme pain.
Wrist range of motion
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Wrist flexion, extension, ulnar deviation and radial deviation joint range degrees will be measured using a universal goniometer.
Position sense
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
In the evaluation of joint position sense (proprioception), wrist extension, elbow flexion and shoulder flexion movements will be evaluated with an inclinometer. An increase in deviation from the target angle indicates a worsening of position sense.
Severity of symptoms
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
The patients' CTS-related symptom severity and functional status will be evaluated with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. The severity of the patient's strain is scored between 1-5. Higher scores indicate greater disability.
Hands activity level
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
Duruöz hand index will be used to evaluate hand-related activity limitations. The survey yields a total score of 0-90, with a higher score indicating greater activity restriction.
Nerve cross-sectional area
Time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention
With ultrasonography, the doctor will measure the median nerve cross-sectional area of the individual and the distance between the median nerve flexor retinaculum.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Fidan Yılmaz, MsC principal investigator
Pursaklar State Hospital
Emime EMİRMAHMUTOĞLU, Bachelors principal investigator
Pursaklar State Hospital
Banu Gökçen BAYDOĞAN TAN, MD study director
Pursaklar State Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dry needling in people with Dry Needling and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Karabuk University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain severity (time frame: Baseline and 3 weeks post-intervention). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Sep 2025.