Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)CP syndromeNCT07539480
Pain Neuroscience Education Versus Kinesio Tape on Functional Outcomes in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A study testing group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) and group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Middle East University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive neuropathies of the upper limb, characterized by pain, numbness, and functional impairment due to median nerve compression at the wrist. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- What is being tested?
- group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) and group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2025to 20 Sep 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 20 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- aged 18 to 60 years.
- Clinically diagnosed unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome based on standard diagnostic criteria (e.g., pain, numbness, or tingling in the median nerve distribution), with or without confirmation by nerve conduction studies.
- Patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, defined by clinical assessment and electrodiagnostic findings.
- Symptoms present for at least 3 months.
- Reported wrist or hand pain with functional limitations affecting daily activities.
Who cannot join
- Severe CTS characterised by significant thenar muscle atrophy or severe nerve conduction impairment.
- Previous Surgery or Injection:
- History of carpal tunnel release surgery or corticosteroid injection to the wrist within the past 6 months.
- Presence of other conditions affecting the upper limb, such as cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, tendon rupture, or fractures.
- Known neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis) or systemic diseases affecting nerve function (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes mellitus).
- Skin disease, open wounds, or known allergy to adhesive materials that contraindicate kinesio taping.
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- Pregnant women, due to possible changes in fluid retention and nerve compression.
- Participation in other physical therapy or pain education programmes targeting the upper limbs during the study period.
- Conditions that limit comprehension of pain neuroscience education material or ability to provide reliable responses to questionnaires.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive neuropathies of the upper limb, characterized by pain, numbness, and functional impairment due to median nerve compression at the wrist. Its prevalence is estimated at approximately 4.9%, with higher incidence in populations exposed to repetitive hand movements. The resulting sensory disturbances, grip weakness, and functional limitations significantly affect daily activities and quality of life.
Conservative management remains the first line of treatment for mild to moderate CTS, with therapeutic approaches traditionally including splinting, exercise therapy, nerve mobilization, and patient education. Recent interest has grown around Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)-an educational strategy that reframes patients' understanding of pain by emphasizing the role of the central nervous system, cognitive factors, and neurophysiological processes. Studies have shown that PNE, particularly when combined with exercise or standard rehabilitation, can reduce symptom severity, improve functional outcomes, and help patients better manage chronic pain by reducing fear and catastrophizing. However, the existing literature notes that research on PNE for CTS is still limited, with some trials suggesting positive outcomes but calling for more high-quality evidence.
In parallel, Kinesio Taping (KT) has gained popularity as a noninvasive intervention believed to enhance circulation, provide proprioceptive input, and support soft tissue mobility. Evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that KT can improve grip strength, reduce pain intensity, enhance sensory conduction velocity, and improve functional status as measured by validated clinical tools such as the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. These findings suggest that KT may serve as an effective supplementary therapy in the conservative management of CTS
Read the detailed description
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare between pain neuroscience education and Kinesio tape on functional outcomes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome Methods: This study involved 60 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, consisting of 30 females and 20 males, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years. All participants were allocated into two groups: Group (A) patients with pain neuroscience education, Group (B) patients Kinesio tape
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Being tested
- group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE), group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping
- Keywords
- Kinesio tape, carpal tunnel syndrome
- 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.
group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE)Other
1- Education on neurobiology and neurophysiology of pain 2- How beliefs and behaviours influence pain 3- Central sensitization and pain amplification 4- Use of metaphors, visuals, and interactive discussion the frequency of the session 1- 1 session/week, 30-40 minutes 2- Duration: 6 weeks 3- Delivered by a trained physiotherapist
group B: Patients receive Kinesio TapingOther
KT Application Technique 1- Elastic tape placed along flexor retinaculum and median nerve pathway 2- Tension: 10-15% 3- Reapplied twice weekly 4- Duration: 6 weeks
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) | Experimental | PNE Components Receives: Other: group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) |
| group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping | Experimental | KT Application Technique Receives: Other: group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
self-reported pain intensity scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), assessing average hand pain over the past week.
Measured: 8 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire
The BCTQ is a tool that assesses difficulty in performing daily activities of the hand such as writing, gripping and lifting objects It consists of eight items, each scored from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (unable to perform activity).
Higher scores indicate greater functional disability.
Measured: 8 months
Jamar Hand-Held Dynamometer (kg)
Assess the maximum voluntary grip strength of the affected hand. Three trials are recorded, and the mean value is used for analysis.
Measured: 8 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2025
- Primary completion20 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Sep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)Studies 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
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Middle East University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Emad Eldin Mohamed, Middle East University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07539480
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2730
- Acronym
- CP syndrome
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- 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 20 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07539480
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CP syndrome / 2730
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
- Keywords
- Kinesio tape, carpal tunnel syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Middle East UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Apr 2026 (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.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive neuropathies of the upper limb, characterized by pain, numbness, and functional impairment due to median nerve compression at the wrist. Its prevalence is estimated at approximately 4.9%, with higher incidence in populations exposed to repetitive hand movements. The resulting sensory disturbances, grip weakness, and functional limitations significantly affect daily activities and quality of life.
Conservative management remains the first line of treatment for mild to moderate CTS, with therapeutic approaches traditionally including splinting, exercise therapy, nerve mobilization, and patient education. Recent interest has grown around Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)-an educational strategy that reframes patients' understanding of pain by emphasizing the role of the central nervous system, cognitive factors, and neurophysiological processes. Studies have shown that PNE, particularly when combined with exercise or standard rehabilitation, can reduce symptom severity, improve functional outcomes, and help patients better manage chronic pain by reducing fear and catastrophizing. However, the existing literature notes that research on PNE for CTS is still limited, with some trials suggesting positive outcomes but calling for more high-quality evidence.
In parallel, Kinesio Taping (KT) has gained popularity as a noninvasive intervention believed to enhance circulation, provide proprioceptive input, and support soft tissue mobility. Evidence from randomized controlled trials shows that KT can improve grip strength, reduce pain intensity, enhance sensory conduction velocity, and improve functional status as measured by validated clinical tools such as the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. These findings suggest that KT may serve as an effective supplementary therapy in the conservative management of CTS
Detailed description
Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare between pain neuroscience education and Kinesio tape on functional outcomes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome Methods: This study involved 60 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, consisting of 30 females and 20 males, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years. All participants were allocated into two groups: Group (A) patients with pain neuroscience education, Group (B) patients Kinesio tape
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) | Experimental | Other: group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE)PNE Components |
| group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping | Experimental | Other: group B: Patients receive Kinesio TapingKT Application Technique |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- aged 18 to 60 years.
- Clinically diagnosed unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome based on standard diagnostic criteria (e.g., pain, numbness, or tingling in the median nerve distribution), with or without confirmation by nerve conduction studies.
- Patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, defined by clinical assessment and electrodiagnostic findings.
- Symptoms present for at least 3 months.
- Reported wrist or hand pain with functional limitations affecting daily activities.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Severe CTS characterised by significant thenar muscle atrophy or severe nerve conduction impairment.
- Previous Surgery or Injection:
- History of carpal tunnel release surgery or corticosteroid injection to the wrist within the past 6 months.
- Presence of other conditions affecting the upper limb, such as cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, rheumatoid arthritis, tendon rupture, or fractures.
- Known neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis) or systemic diseases affecting nerve function (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes mellitus).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE)1- Education on neurobiology and neurophysiology of pain 2- How beliefs and behaviours influence pain 3- Central sensitization and pain amplification 4- Use of metaphors, visuals, and interactive discussion the frequency of the session 1- 1 session/week, 30-40 minutes 2- Duration: 6 weeks 3- Delivered by a trained physiotherapist | Other | group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) |
| group B: Patients receive Kinesio TapingKT Application Technique 1- Elastic tape placed along flexor retinaculum and median nerve pathway 2- Tension: 10-15% 3- Reapplied twice weekly 4- Duration: 6 weeks | Other | group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: 8 weeks
self-reported pain intensity scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), assessing average hand pain over the past week.
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire
Time frame: 8 months
The BCTQ is a tool that assesses difficulty in performing daily activities of the hand such as writing, gripping and lifting objects It consists of eight items, each scored from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (unable to perform activity). Higher scores indicate greater functional disability.
Jamar Hand-Held Dynamometer (kg)
Time frame: 8 months
Assess the maximum voluntary grip strength of the affected hand. Three trials are recorded, and the mean value is used for analysis.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
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Postural Control and Balance Performance in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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Effects of Repetitive Peripheral Magnetic Stimulation(rPMS) on CTS(Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
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Hand Function Outcome After the Application of Transfer Energy Capacitive and Resistive on Post-burn Patients Presented With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing group A: pain neuroscience education (PNE) and group B: Patients receive Kinesio Taping in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), run by Middle East University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 5 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Apr 2026. 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 Egypt. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: 8 weeks). The study lists 3 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 20 Apr 2026.