Acute Effect of Topical Menthol on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Acute Effect of Topical Menthol on Pain Symptoms in Slaughterhouse Workers With Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Randomized Controlled Trial

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01716767

Acronym

IRMA

Enrollment

Registered

2012-10-30

Start date

2012-12-31

Completion date

2013-01-31

Last updated

2013-06-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Keywords

Carpal tunnel syndrome, hand pain, wrist pain, arm pain, topical menthol

Brief summary

Topical menthol gels are classified 'topical analgesics' and are used to relieve pain of the musculoskeletal system. However, double-blind randomized controlled trials are lacking. Here the investigators examine - in a double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial - the acute effect of topical menthol (Biofreeze) and placebo (gel with a menthol scent) on pain symptoms in slaughterhouse workers with symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Interventions

OTHERMenthol

The gel will be applied at 2.5 ml per 500 cm2 to the hand, wrist and forearm

OTHERPlacebo

The gel will be applied at 2.5 ml per 500 cm2 to the hand, wrist and forearm

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 67 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* positive Phalen test * positive Tinel test * nocturnal hand/wrist pain * pain intensity of at least 4 in the hand/wrist * the pain should have lasted at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

* pregnancy * life-threatening disease

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in arm/hand pain intensity (scale 0-10) during work	change from before to after (average of 1,2 and 3 hours after) application of the gel	the participant rates pain intensity during the last hour on a scale from 0-10 immediately before, and 1,2,3 hours after application of the gel. The primary outcome is the change from before to after (average of 1,2 and 3 hours after) application of the gel

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
GROC	3 hours after application of the gel	Global Rating of Change (GROC) on a scale from - 5(much worsening of pain) to 5(much improvement of pain)

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026