Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will characterize brain plasticity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and will determine how this central fMRI biomarker is modulated by acupuncture. This study will also investigate the behavioral consequences of maladaptive cortical plasticity in this disease population.
Interventions
PROCEDUREelectro-acupuncture
acupuncture stimulation with electricity
Sponsors
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Male and female adults aged 20-60. 2. History * Pain and/or paresthesia in median nerve distribution (i.e., numbness in some combination of digit 1, 2, 3, and the radial part of digit 4) * Nocturnal pain and/or paresthesia in median nerve distribution * Symptoms (a and b) greater than 3 months in duration 3. Physical Exam with two of the following three findings: * Phalen's and Durkin's sign (positive with paresthesia in at least 1 of 3 radial digits) * Abnormal grip strength (greater than 2 S.D. compared to uninvolved side using an isometric hand grip device) 4. Nerve conduction findings consistent with mild to severe CTS: Mild CTS: Delayed distal latency of the sensory nerve conductions across the wrist (\> 3.7milliseconds and/or \> than 0.5 milliseconds compared to the ulnar sensory conduction) with normal motor conductions Moderate CTS: Delayed distal latency of the sensory nerve conductions across the wrist as stated above with delayed distal latency of the motor conductions across the wrist (\> 4.2 milliseconds). Severe CTS: Delayed distal latency of the sensory nerve conductions across the wrist as stated above with greater than 50% loss of motor amplitudes (relative to unaffected side and/or normative range).
Exclusion criteria
1. Contraindications to MRI examination (pregnancy, pacemaker, etc. according to guidelines set by MGH NMR-Center) 2. History of diabetes mellitus or other major cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological illnesses. 3. History of rheumatoid arthritis. 4. History of wrist fracture with direct trauma to median nerve. 5. Current usage of prescriptive opioid pain medication. 6. Severe thenar atrophy. 7. Nerve entrapment other than median nerve. 8. Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy. 9. Generalized peripheral neuropathy. 10. A blood dyscrasia or coagulopathy or current use of anticoagulation therapy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional MRI brain response | Baseline vs. Post-Acupuncture (average 9 weeks later) | Several fMRI outcomes will be assessed including brain hyperactivity and somatotopy |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactPia Hugus
Outcome results
None listed