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Effects of Upper Extremity Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Symptom Severity, Hand Functions, Electrophysiological and Ultrasonographic Measurements in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Effects of Upper Extremity Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Symptom Severity, Hand Functions, Electrophysiological and Ultrasonographic Measurements in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05490420
Enrollment
27
Registered
2022-08-05
Start date
2022-09-05
Completion date
2023-07-30
Last updated
2023-09-08

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, manual lymphatic drainage, surface electromyography

Brief summary

This study is aimed to investigate the effects of upper extremity manual lymphatic drainage, which is applied to remove edema from the carpal tunnel region in addition to conventional exercise therapy in Carpal tunnel syndrome patients on findings of clinical, ultrasonographic, and electrophysiological.

Detailed description

Thirtyfour volunteer participants between aged 40 and 60 years, who met the inclusion criteria, will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups experimental and control groups. While the control group will receive only conventional exercises, the experimental group will receive both conventional exercises and upper extremity manual lymphatic drainage. A total of 3 measurements will be made before the treatment, after the treatment and 1 month after the end of the treatment. Symptom severity will be evaluated via Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire, grip strength via hand dynamometer, pressure pain threshold via digital algometer device, cross-sectional area of the median nerve via ultrasound, and median nerve conduction velocity via superficial EMG device.

Interventions

MLD is a manual technique that is applied to the lymphatic system with a pressure of approximately 40-50mmHg and increases the working speed of lymphatic nodules/collectors. Its main purpose is to support microcirculation by accelerating lymphatic flow and to prevent/remove interstitial fluid accumulation that may cause fascial adhesions.

Sponsors

Istanbul Medeniyet University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Masking description

participant will be masked.

Intervention model description

randomized controlled trial

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* People aged between 40-60 years * Having been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) at least 6 months ago or having symptoms related to carpal tunnel syndrome for at least 6 months * Having mild (median nerve sensory conduction velocity below 40 m/sec) and moderate (median nerve sensory conduction velocity below 40 m/sec and median motor distal latency 4 ms and above) CTS according to electrophysiological findings * Not having received medical treatment and/or physiotherapy for CTS in the last 6 months

Exclusion criteria

* Having cervical radiculopathy * Having thoracic outlet syndrome * Presence of systemic disease that may lead to CTS, such as diabetes or thyroid disease * Pregnancy * Presence of anemia * Having a history of CTS surgery * Presence of radial or ulnar nerve sensory-motor lesions accompanying the present condition * Presence of lymphedema * Having severe (Sensory nerve action potential cannot be obtained) and severe (Sensory nerve action potential cannot be obtained, but combined muscle action potential is not present) CTS according to electrophysiological findings

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Symptom severityChange from baseline symptom severity at week 6 and 10.1- Symptom severity will be evaulated with Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ). BCTQ comprises 11 items of Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) measuring pain, paresthesia, numbness, nocturnal symptoms and feeling of weakness plus another 8 items of Functional Status Scale (FSS) measuring difficulties in performing daily activities. Scales ranged from 1-5 representing normal to worst symptoms or disabilities. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity and disability.
Grip strengthChange from baseline grip strength at week 6 and 10.2- Grip strength will be assessed with a digital hand dynamometer. The subject will seat with feet positioned on the floor, shoulder adducted, and the elbow bent at a 90-degree angle with the forearm parallel to the floor. Maximal isometric grip strength will be measured in kilograms. It is a reliable method for measuring grip strength.
Pressure pain threshold (PPT)Change from baseline pressure pain threshold at week 6 and 10.PPT, the minimal amount of pressure where a sense of pressure changes to pain, will be measured with an electronic algometer over the median nerve in the wrist area. The pressure will be applied approximately at a rate of 30 kPa/sec for 30 seconds. Participants will be instructed to press the switch when the sensation changed from pressure to pain.
Cross-sectional area of the median nerveChange from baseline cross-sectional area of the median nerve at week 6 and 10.US images will be obtained by a neurologist trained in peripheral nerve US. The nerve will be imaged using a Biosound Esaote MyLab 70 equipped with an 18-MHZ linear-array transducer. The median nerve will be imaged in cross-section at the distal wrist crease (carpal tunnel inlet) and 12 cm proximal to this point in the forearm.
Sensory Velocity of median nerveChange from baseline Sensory Velocity of median nerve at week 6 and 10.Sensory Velocity of median nerve will be recorded with surface EMG using surface electrodes from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle by a neurologist using standard techniques.
Motor velocity of median nerveChange from baseline motor velocity of median nerve at week 6 and 10.Motor Velocity of median nerve will be recorded with surface EMG using surface electrodes from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle by a neurologist using standard techniques

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

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