Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)NCT06981715
Investigation of the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Kinesiotaping Applied as an Addition to Conservative Treatment in Individuals With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A study testing Conservative treatment, ESWT and Kinesiotaping in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- What is being tested?
- Conservative treatment, ESWT and Kinesiotaping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 17 May 2025to 26 Jun 2025
- 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
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Show all 9Show fewer
- Pregnant and lactating women
- Severe carpal tunnel syndrome, tenar atrophy on physical examination 9.
- Patient reluctance to participate in treatment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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.
Read the 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)
- Being tested
- Conservative treatment, ESWT, Kinesiotaping
- Keywords
- carpal tunnel syndrome, treatment, kinesiotaping
- Medical subject headings
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conservative treatmentOther
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
ESWTOther
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
KinesiotapingOther
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | 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 Receives: Other: Conservative treatment |
| ESWT group | Experimental | 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 Receives: Other: Conservative treatment; Other: ESWT |
| ESWT+Taping Group | Experimental | 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. Receives: Other: Conservative treatment; Other: ESWT; Other: Kinesiotaping |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Severity
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine the presence and severity of low back pain in the study participants. GAS is a practical test with high validity and reliability in pain assessment. GAS is an assessment method numbered from 0 to 10, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' indicates the presence of the most severe pain. Participants were asked to mark the degree of pain they had on this scale and recorded.
Measured: 5 week
Secondary outcomes (3)
Symptom Severity and Functionality
It was developed by Levine et al. in 1993 (102). In 2006, its Turkish validity and reliability was performed by Sezgin et al. This scale used for clinical standardisation of CTS consists of nineteen questions. The answers vary between one and five points. A high mean score indicates that the patient has low functional capacity and severe symptoms. The questionnaire consists of two parts, the Boston Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Boston Functional Status Scale (FSS). The Boston-SSS has 11 questions and responses range from 'none (1 point)' to 'very severe (5 points)'. The Boston-FDS has 8 questions and the answers range from 'very easy (1 point)' to 'very difficult (5 points)'. The patient's score is divided by the total score and a ratio between 0 and 1 is obtained. A ratio closer to 1 indicates an increase in dysfunction and symptom severity.
Measured: 5 week
Hand Grip Strength
The Jamar dynamometer was used to measure gross grip strength. Jamar dynamometer measures static grip strength in kilograms. The measurements were performed in the position recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists, with the patient sitting, arm in adduction, elbow flexed 90 degrees, forearm in neutral position. Patients were asked to squeeze the dynamometer with maximum strength for at least 3 seconds. 3 measurements were made and the measurements were made at 1 minute intervals and the mean was recorded in kilograms.
Measured: 5 week
Electrophysiological Assessments
A Nihon Kohden Neuropack S1 MEB-9400 electroneuromyography (ENMG) device (Nihon Kohden Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was utilized. Values of median sensory distal latency (mSDL) <3.6 ms, and median sensory nerve conduction velocity (mSNCV) >50 m/s were deemed normal. The classification for CTS provided by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) was utilized.
Measured: 5 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 May 2025
- Study start17 May 2025
- Primary completion26 Jun 2025
- Study completion26 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- randomized controlled trials
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mehmet CANLI, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Investigators
- Mehmet CANLI, PhD., Principal investigator, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06981715
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 43834581758!
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 12 May 2025
- Last updated
- 1 Jul 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Kocaman H, Canli M, Ceylan I, Valamur I, Yetis A, Yildirim H, Alkan H. Investigation of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Kinesiotaping in Individuals With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000003056. Online ahead of print.
PubMed 42296467
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jul 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Kinesiotaping Applied as an Addition to Conservative Treatment in Individuals With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06981715
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 43834581758!
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Keywords
- carpal tunnel syndrome, treatment, kinesiotaping
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 17 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 26 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 26 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 May 2025 (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.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- randomized controlled trials
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Experimental | Other: Conservative treatmentControl 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 |
| ESWT group | Experimental | Other: Conservative treatment, Other: ESWTESWT 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 |
| ESWT+Taping Group | Experimental | Other: Conservative treatment, Other: ESWT, Other: KinesiotapingESWT+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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Polyneuropathy
- Brachial plexopathy
- History of trauma or fracture of the wrist and forearm
- Systemic corticosteroid use, history of malignancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative treatmentNight 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 | Other | Control Group, ESWT group, ESWT+Taping Group |
| ESWTESWT 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 | Other | ESWT group, ESWT+Taping Group |
| KinesiotapingKinesio 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. | Other | ESWT+Taping Group |
Primary outcome
Pain Severity
Time frame: 5 week
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to determine the presence and severity of low back pain in the study participants. GAS is a practical test with high validity and reliability in pain assessment. GAS is an assessment method numbered from 0 to 10, where '0' indicates no pain and '10' indicates the presence of the most severe pain. Participants were asked to mark the degree of pain they had on this scale and recorded.
3 secondary outcomes
Symptom Severity and Functionality
Time frame: 5 week
Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: 5 week
Electrophysiological Assessments
Time frame: 5 week
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 1 Jul 2025.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42296467Kocaman H, Canli M, Ceylan I, Valamur I, Yetis A, Yildirim H, Alkan H. Investigation of the Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy and Kinesiotaping in Individuals With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000003056. Online ahead of print.
- 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.
Mehmet CANLI, PhD. principal investigator
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Conservative treatment, ESWT and Kinesiotaping in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi 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 9 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 1 Jul 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: 5 week). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06981715, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 1 Jul 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.