Carpal Tunnel SyndromePhase 4NCT04515966
A Comparison of Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injection With Wrist Splint in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A Phase 4 study testing Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol] and wrist splint in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Mercy Health Ohio at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of a nerve called the median nerve as it travels through a narrow tunnel within the wrist on its way to the hand. Compression of the median nerve causes numbness, tingling, pain and weakness of the hand and fingers. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol] and wrist splint
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 70 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2020to 1 Nov 2022
- Phase
- Phase 4
- 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 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Subjects with typical symptoms of CTS, including nocturnal, postural, or usage-associated paresthesia of the hand
- symptoms persisting for at least 3 months before the study
- Patients with mild to moderate symptoms
- no history of steroid injections in the past
- no history of CT release surgery
- and age 18 to 75.
Who cannot join
- Thenar atrophy or muscle weakness
- severe CTS
- pregnancy
- hypothyroidism
- diabetes mellitus
- chronic renal failure
Show all 12Show fewer
- rheumatoid arthritis
- orthopedic or neurological disorders that could mimic CTS such as cervical radiculopathy, polyneuropathy, proximal median nerve entrapment, or thoracic outlet syndrome
- history of distal radius fracture
- anticoagulation
- chronic use of systemic corticosteroids
- known allergy to corticosteroids and local anesthetics.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
St. Elizabeth Boardman Family Medicine
Boardman, Ohio, 44512
Roy Morcos, MD
About this study
Official title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injection Versus Wrist Splint in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of a nerve called the median nerve as it travels through a narrow tunnel within the wrist on its way to the hand. Compression of the median nerve causes numbness, tingling, pain and weakness of the hand and fingers. CTS is usually treated with rest or a change in the activity level. It can also be treated with a splint that limits bending of the hand and wrist. Other treatments include a steroid injection near the median nerve. Surgery can be performed if the symptoms are severe or persistent.
Compression of the median nerve can cause swelling that may be observed with ultrasound of the wrist. Ultrasound can also be used to help guide the needle to inject the steroid solution in close proximity to the median nerve while avoiding injury to the nerve.
Read more
The investigators plan to compare the effectiveness of a splint and an ultrasound-guided steroid injection in the treatment of mild to moderate CTS. Individuals with CTS who agree to participate, will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will be treated with a splint and the other with a steroid injection performed under ultrasound guidance. The severity of CTS symptoms will be determined prior to beginning the study and also at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year following each of the two treatment interventions. The median nerve size (diameter) will be measured in all participants prior to beginning the study and also following both treatment interventions at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
At the conclusion of the study, the investigators will determine which of the two treatments, splint or steroid injection, is more effective in alleviating CTS symptoms. The investigators will also determine if either or both treatments result in a change in swelling of the median nerve as measured by ultrasound.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of the study is to determine which of two commonly used therapeutic interventions for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), steroid injection or wrist splint, is more effective in alleviating symptoms. The protocol has been approved by the Medical Research Committee and by the Institutional Review Board, Mercy Health, Youngstown.
The steroid injection will be administered under ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement of the needle in close proximity to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and to minimize the risk of direct trauma to the nerve.
Candidates for the study will be individuals with CTS presenting to primary care offices located in the Boardman, Ohio area. Following a detailed explanation of the study purpose and protocol, those individuals who agree to participate will be asked to sign an informed consent form.
A complete history and physical examination will be performed on all participants to confirm the diagnosis. Additionally, baseline ultrasound measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area within the carpal tunnel will be performed on all participants. The diagnosis of CTS will be made on clinical grounds, and the CTS-6 evaluation tool will also be used in the diagnostic evaluation. A score above 12 will be considered consistent with CTS. Participants with moderately severe CTS will undergo a nerve conduction study to confirm the diagnosis and exclude early signs of denervation which may require surgical decompression.
Participants will be randomized into two groups of thirty-five patients each; those in group A will undergo ultrasound-guided steroid injection and those in group B will be asked to wear a standard carpal tunnel splint. Participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group with the use of a computer-generated random sequence of numbers from 1 to 70. The primary investigator (Roy Morcos) will be responsible for maintaining confidential records in a secure location.
The injections will be performed by Dr. Morcos and Dr. Dhungana. Dr. Morcos received training in ultrasonography during a fellowship program and has published on the subject. He has been performing ultrasound examinations and injections for the past 35 years. Dr. Dhungana is an orthopedic surgeon with expertise in carpal tunnel steroid injections.
With the participant seated and the forearm supinated, the wrist is slightly dorsiflexed. The median nerve is identified with real-time ultrasonography and its cross-sectional area measured. Injection near the median nerve within the carpal tunnel is performed under aseptic technique and ultrasound guidance, using a 25-gauge needle to minimize discomfort.
Group A: A mixture of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine will be injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance in close proximity to the median nerve. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure even injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel.
Group B: Patients in this group will be advised to wear a standard carpal tunnel splint with the hand in neutral position. The splint will be provided to all participants. They will be advised to wear it during the night and most of the time during day.
The median nerve cross-sectional area is measured in all patients at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months following interventions.
Follow-up is scheduled 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year. At each follow-up visit, clinical evaluation is obtained using the BCTQ score, which determines the degree of symptomatic severity and functional recovery. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, 0 for no pain and 10 for severe unbearable pain, will also be obtained. Follow-up will continue for a year including history and physical examination.
Descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the data using the mean, standard deviation, and median. For parameter with subset scales and values, box and whisker plots will be used to show patterns of parameter behavior. Where levels of measures are appropriate, independent samples t-tests are performed to compare outcomes of each intervention. Where appropriate, a non-parametric test such as the Mann-Whitney U test, is used to assess differences of parameter values both over periods of follow up and between two treatments.
The measures of effect are as follows: Pain, Symptom severity, Functional disability, Median nerve diameter, Median nerve cross sectional area. Three of the parameters are from arbitrary scales consisting of standard questionnaires. Two of the parameters are composite values derived from scores with differing weightings. Two anatomic measures are based on metric measurements obtained by ultrasound. All measures will be taken before treatment and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. Based on an assumed BCTS Pain Score treatment effect of 1.5 with standard deviation of 3.0 with 2-sided α of 0.05 and a power of 0.87, the minimum required sample size in each study group is 32. Considering loss to follow-up over a period of one year, the investigators plan to recruit 70 subjects.
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Being tested
- Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol], wrist splint
- Keywords
- wrist splint, steroid injection, median nerve ultrasound
- 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.
Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol]Drug
Also called Lidocaine, 1% solution
A total 1 ml of injectate consisting of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine will be injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance to deliver it into the target area. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel.
wrist splintDevice
A standard wrist splint
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-guided steroid injection | Active comparator | Participants with CTS who meet the inclusion criteria are randomized to two groups. One group (or arm) will receive an ultrasound-guided steroid injection in the vicinity of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. A total 1 ml of injectate consisting of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine is injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance to deliver it into the target area. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel. Receives: Drug: Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol] |
| Wrist splint | Active comparator | Participants in this arm are treated with a wrist splint. Receives: Device: wrist splint |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in symptom severity from baseline to 6 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS). 11 questions with score ranging from 1 (Normal) to 5 (Very Serious). Composite score range 11-55. The score mapping is as follows: 11: Asymptomatic; 12 to 22: Mild; 23 to 33: Moderate; 34 to 44: Severe; 45-55: Very Severe.
Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in functional status from baseline to 6 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Functional Status Scale (FSS). 8 questions with score ranging from 1 (No Difficulty) to 5 (Unable to Perform). Composite score range 8-40. The score mapping is as follows: 8: Asymptomatic; 9 to 16: Mild; 17 to 24: Moderate; 25 to 32: Severe; 33-40: Very Severe.
Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in pain assessment from baseline to 6 weeks
Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A visual pain scale measures a patient's pain intensity. Scale ranging from 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Unbearable Pain) characterized by depictions of facial expressions. The score mapping is as follows: 0: No Pain; 1 to 3: Mild Pain; 4 to 6: Moderate Pain; 7 to 10: Severe Pain
Assessment is performed by an investigator.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Change in Median Nerve Dimensions
The median nerve dimensions at the carpal tunnel inlet is measured by high-resolution ultrasound. The diameter is measured in millimeters, and cross-sectional area calculated in square millimeters
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in symptom severity at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS). 11 questions with score ranging from 1 (Normal) to 5 (Very Serious). Composite score range 11-55. The score mapping is as follows: 11: Asymptomatic; 12 to 22: Mild; 23 to 33: Moderate; 34 to 44: Severe; 45-55: Very Severe.
Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Measured: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in functional status at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Functional Status Scale (FSS). 8 questions with score ranging from 1 (No Difficulty) to 5 (Unable to Perform). Composite score range 8-40. The score mapping is as follows: 8: Asymptomatic; 9 to 16: Mild; 17 to 24: Moderate; 25 to 32: Severe; 33-40: Very Severe.
Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Measured: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in pain perception at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A visual pain scale measures a patient's pain intensity. Scale ranging from 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Unbearable Pain) characterized by depictions of facial expressions. The score mapping is as follows: 0: No Pain; 1 to 3: Mild Pain; 4 to 6: Moderate Pain; 7 to 10: Severe Pain
Assessment is performed by an investigator.
Measured: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Aug 2020
- Study start1 Dec 2020
- Primary completion1 Jun 2022 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Nov 2022 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (13)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Carpal Tunnel SyndromeStudies 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 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Mercy Health Ohio
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Roy Morcos, Mercy Health Ohio
- Investigators
- Roy N. Morcos, M.D., Principal investigator, Bon Secours Mercy Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04515966
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20-006
- Status last verified
- Sep 2021
- First submitted
- 5 Aug 2020
- Last updated
- 9 Sep 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Klauser AS, Halpern EJ, Faschingbauer R, Guerra F, Martinoli C, Gabl MF, Arora R, Bauer T, Sojer M, Loscher WN, Jaschke WR. Bifid median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome: assessment with US cross-sectional area measurement. Radiology. 2011 Jun;259(3):808-15. doi: 10.1148/radiol.11101644. Epub 2011 Mar 8.
PubMed 21386049Demircay E, Civelek E, Cansever T, Kabatas S, Yilmaz C. Anatomic variations of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel: a brief review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(3):388-96. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.3073-10.1.
PubMed 21845577Karadas O, Tok F, Akarsu S, Tekin L, Balaban B. Triamcinolone acetonide vs procaine hydrochloride injection in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome: randomized placebo-controlled study. J Rehabil Med. 2012 Jun;44(7):601-4. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0990.
PubMed 22674243Tagliafico A, Bodner G, Rosenberg I, Palmieri F, Garello I, Altafini L, Martinoli C. Peripheral nerves: ultrasound-guided interventional procedures. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2010 Nov;14(5):559-66. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1268066. Epub 2010 Nov 11.
PubMed 21072732Chesterton LS, Blagojevic-Bucknall M, Burton C, Dziedzic KS, Davenport G, Jowett SM, Myers HL, Oppong R, Rathod-Mistry T, van der Windt DA, Hay EM, Roddy E. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of corticosteroid injection versus night splints for carpal tunnel syndrome (INSTINCTS trial): an open-label, parallel group, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2018 Oct 20;392(10156):1423-1433. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31572-1.
PubMed 30343858Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, Pazzaglia C, Paolasso I, Loreti C, Caliandro P, Hobson-Webb LD. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Nov;15(12):1273-1284. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(16)30231-9. Epub 2016 Oct 11.
PubMed 27751557Middleton SD, Anakwe RE. Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ. 2014 Nov 6;349:g6437. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6437. No abstract available.
PubMed 25378457Calandruccio JH, Thompson NB. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Making Evidence-Based Treatment Decisions. Orthop Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;49(2):223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2017.11.009. Epub 2018 Feb 1.
PubMed 29499823Kim PT, Lee HJ, Kim TG, Jeon IH. Current approaches for carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Orthop Surg. 2014 Sep;6(3):253-7. doi: 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.253. Epub 2014 Aug 5.
PubMed 25177448Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, Kliot M, Turner JA, Chan L, Heagerty PJ, Hollingworth W, Kerrigan CL, Deyo RA. Surgery versus non-surgical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised parallel-group trial. Lancet. 2009 Sep 26;374(9695):1074-81. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61517-8.
PubMed 19782873So H, Chung VCH, Cheng JCK, Yip RML. Local steroid injection versus wrist splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan;21(1):102-107. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13162. Epub 2017 Sep 13.
PubMed 28901660Evers S, Bryan AJ, Sanders TL, Selles RW, Gelfman R, Amadio PC. Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Compared to Blind Steroid Injections in the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2017 Jul;69(7):1060-1065. doi: 10.1002/acr.23108. Epub 2017 Jun 8.
PubMed 27696773Khosrawi S, Emadi M, Mahmoodian AE. Effectiveness of splinting and splinting plus local steroid injection in severe carpal tunnel syndrome: A Randomized control clinical trial. Adv Biomed Res. 2016 Feb 8;5:16. doi: 10.4103/2277-9175.175902. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 26962518
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Sep 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-guided Steroid Injection Versus Wrist Splint in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04515966
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 20-006
- Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Keywords
- wrist splint, steroid injection, median nerve ultrasound
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Unknown status
- Enrolment
- 70 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Mercy Health OhioUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2022 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Nov 2022 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Aug 2020 (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 caused by compression of a nerve called the median nerve as it travels through a narrow tunnel within the wrist on its way to the hand. Compression of the median nerve causes numbness, tingling, pain and weakness of the hand and fingers. CTS is usually treated with rest or a change in the activity level. It can also be treated with a splint that limits bending of the hand and wrist. Other treatments include a steroid injection near the median nerve. Surgery can be performed if the symptoms are severe or persistent.
Compression of the median nerve can cause swelling that may be observed with ultrasound of the wrist. Ultrasound can also be used to help guide the needle to inject the steroid solution in close proximity to the median nerve while avoiding injury to the nerve.
The investigators plan to compare the effectiveness of a splint and an ultrasound-guided steroid injection in the treatment of mild to moderate CTS. Individuals with CTS who agree to participate, will be randomly assigned to two groups. One group will be treated with a splint and the other with a steroid injection performed under ultrasound guidance. The severity of CTS symptoms will be determined prior to beginning the study and also at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year following each of the two treatment interventions. The median nerve size (diameter) will be measured in all participants prior to beginning the study and also following both treatment interventions at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.
At the conclusion of the study, the investigators will determine which of the two treatments, splint or steroid injection, is more effective in alleviating CTS symptoms. The investigators will also determine if either or both treatments result in a change in swelling of the median nerve as measured by ultrasound.
Detailed description
The purpose of the study is to determine which of two commonly used therapeutic interventions for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), steroid injection or wrist splint, is more effective in alleviating symptoms. The protocol has been approved by the Medical Research Committee and by the Institutional Review Board, Mercy Health, Youngstown.
The steroid injection will be administered under ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement of the needle in close proximity to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and to minimize the risk of direct trauma to the nerve.
Candidates for the study will be individuals with CTS presenting to primary care offices located in the Boardman, Ohio area. Following a detailed explanation of the study purpose and protocol, those individuals who agree to participate will be asked to sign an informed consent form.
A complete history and physical examination will be performed on all participants to confirm the diagnosis. Additionally, baseline ultrasound measurement of the median nerve cross-sectional area within the carpal tunnel will be performed on all participants. The diagnosis of CTS will be made on clinical grounds, and the CTS-6 evaluation tool will also be used in the diagnostic evaluation. A score above 12 will be considered consistent with CTS. Participants with moderately severe CTS will undergo a nerve conduction study to confirm the diagnosis and exclude early signs of denervation which may require surgical decompression.
Participants will be randomized into two groups of thirty-five patients each; those in group A will undergo ultrasound-guided steroid injection and those in group B will be asked to wear a standard carpal tunnel splint. Participants will be randomly assigned to either intervention group with the use of a computer-generated random sequence of numbers from 1 to 70. The primary investigator (Roy Morcos) will be responsible for maintaining confidential records in a secure location.
The injections will be performed by Dr. Morcos and Dr. Dhungana. Dr. Morcos received training in ultrasonography during a fellowship program and has published on the subject. He has been performing ultrasound examinations and injections for the past 35 years. Dr. Dhungana is an orthopedic surgeon with expertise in carpal tunnel steroid injections.
With the participant seated and the forearm supinated, the wrist is slightly dorsiflexed. The median nerve is identified with real-time ultrasonography and its cross-sectional area measured. Injection near the median nerve within the carpal tunnel is performed under aseptic technique and ultrasound guidance, using a 25-gauge needle to minimize discomfort.
Group A: A mixture of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine will be injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance in close proximity to the median nerve. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure even injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel.
Group B: Patients in this group will be advised to wear a standard carpal tunnel splint with the hand in neutral position. The splint will be provided to all participants. They will be advised to wear it during the night and most of the time during day.
The median nerve cross-sectional area is measured in all patients at baseline, 6 weeks and 3 months following interventions.
Follow-up is scheduled 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year. At each follow-up visit, clinical evaluation is obtained using the BCTQ score, which determines the degree of symptomatic severity and functional recovery. A visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, 0 for no pain and 10 for severe unbearable pain, will also be obtained. Follow-up will continue for a year including history and physical examination.
Descriptive statistics will be used to characterize the data using the mean, standard deviation, and median. For parameter with subset scales and values, box and whisker plots will be used to show patterns of parameter behavior. Where levels of measures are appropriate, independent samples t-tests are performed to compare outcomes of each intervention. Where appropriate, a non-parametric test such as the Mann-Whitney U test, is used to assess differences of parameter values both over periods of follow up and between two treatments.
The measures of effect are as follows: Pain, Symptom severity, Functional disability, Median nerve diameter, Median nerve cross sectional area. Three of the parameters are from arbitrary scales consisting of standard questionnaires. Two of the parameters are composite values derived from scores with differing weightings. Two anatomic measures are based on metric measurements obtained by ultrasound. All measures will be taken before treatment and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. Based on an assumed BCTS Pain Score treatment effect of 1.5 with standard deviation of 3.0 with 2-sided α of 0.05 and a power of 0.87, the minimum required sample size in each study group is 32. Considering loss to follow-up over a period of one year, the investigators plan to recruit 70 subjects.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-guided steroid injection | Active comparator | Drug: Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol]Participants with CTS who meet the inclusion criteria are randomized to two groups. One group (or arm) will receive an ultrasound-guided steroid injection in the vicinity of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. A total 1 ml of injectate consisting of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine is injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance to deliver it into the target area. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel. |
| Wrist splint | Active comparator | Device: wrist splintParticipants in this arm are treated with a wrist splint. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Subjects with typical symptoms of CTS, including nocturnal, postural, or usage-associated paresthesia of the hand
- symptoms persisting for at least 3 months before the study
- Patients with mild to moderate symptoms
- no history of steroid injections in the past
- no history of CT release surgery
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Thenar atrophy or muscle weakness
- severe CTS
- pregnancy
- hypothyroidism
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol]Also: Lidocaine, 1% solutionA total 1 ml of injectate consisting of 0.5 ml of depo-Medrol (methylprednisolone acetate 40mg/ml) and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine will be injected into the carpal tunnel under ultrasound guidance to deliver it into the target area. After completion of the injection, the distal carpal tunnel is scanned to ensure injectate distribution within the distal aspect of the carpal tunnel. | Drug | Ultrasound-guided steroid injection |
| wrist splintA standard wrist splint | Device | Wrist splint |
Primary outcome
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in symptom severity from baseline to 6 weeks
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS). 11 questions with score ranging from 1 (Normal) to 5 (Very Serious). Composite score range 11-55. The score mapping is as follows: 11: Asymptomatic; 12 to 22: Mild; 23 to 33: Moderate; 34 to 44: Severe; 45-55: Very Severe. Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in functional status from baseline to 6 weeks
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Functional Status Scale (FSS). 8 questions with score ranging from 1 (No Difficulty) to 5 (Unable to Perform). Composite score range 8-40. The score mapping is as follows: 8: Asymptomatic; 9 to 16: Mild; 17 to 24: Moderate; 25 to 32: Severe; 33-40: Very Severe. Questionnaire is administered by an investigator.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in pain assessment from baseline to 6 weeks
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks
Visual Analog Scale (VAS). A visual pain scale measures a patient's pain intensity. Scale ranging from 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Unbearable Pain) characterized by depictions of facial expressions. The score mapping is as follows: 0: No Pain; 1 to 3: Mild Pain; 4 to 6: Moderate Pain; 7 to 10: Severe Pain Assessment is performed by an investigator.
4 secondary outcomes
Change in Median Nerve Dimensions
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in symptom severity at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Time frame: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in functional status at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Time frame: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in pain perception at 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Time frame: 12 weeks, 6 months, 1 year
Results and safety
Results are not available in the source record.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Sep 2021.
- Background: PubMed 21386049Klauser AS, Halpern EJ, Faschingbauer R, Guerra F, Martinoli C, Gabl MF, Arora R, Bauer T, Sojer M, Loscher WN, Jaschke WR. Bifid median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome: assessment with US cross-sectional area measurement. Radiology. 2011 Jun;259(3):808-15. doi: 10.1148/radiol.11101644. Epub 2011 Mar 8.
- Background: PubMed 21845577Demircay E, Civelek E, Cansever T, Kabatas S, Yilmaz C. Anatomic variations of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel: a brief review of the literature. Turk Neurosurg. 2011;21(3):388-96. doi: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.3073-10.1.
- Background: PubMed 22674243Karadas O, Tok F, Akarsu S, Tekin L, Balaban B. Triamcinolone acetonide vs procaine hydrochloride injection in the management of carpal tunnel syndrome: randomized placebo-controlled study. J Rehabil Med. 2012 Jun;44(7):601-4. doi: 10.2340/16501977-0990.
- Background: PubMed 21072732Tagliafico A, Bodner G, Rosenberg I, Palmieri F, Garello I, Altafini L, Martinoli C. Peripheral nerves: ultrasound-guided interventional procedures. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2010 Nov;14(5):559-66. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1268066. Epub 2010 Nov 11.
- Background: PubMed 30343858Chesterton LS, Blagojevic-Bucknall M, Burton C, Dziedzic KS, Davenport G, Jowett SM, Myers HL, Oppong R, Rathod-Mistry T, van der Windt DA, Hay EM, Roddy E. The clinical and cost-effectiveness of corticosteroid injection versus night splints for carpal tunnel syndrome (INSTINCTS trial): an open-label, parallel group, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2018 Oct 20;392(10156):1423-1433. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31572-1.
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- Background: PubMed 25177448Kim PT, Lee HJ, Kim TG, Jeon IH. Current approaches for carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Orthop Surg. 2014 Sep;6(3):253-7. doi: 10.4055/cios.2014.6.3.253. Epub 2014 Aug 5.
- Background: PubMed 19782873Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, Kliot M, Turner JA, Chan L, Heagerty PJ, Hollingworth W, Kerrigan CL, Deyo RA. Surgery versus non-surgical therapy for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomised parallel-group trial. Lancet. 2009 Sep 26;374(9695):1074-81. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61517-8.
- Background: PubMed 28901660So H, Chung VCH, Cheng JCK, Yip RML. Local steroid injection versus wrist splinting for carpal tunnel syndrome: A randomized clinical trial. Int J Rheum Dis. 2018 Jan;21(1):102-107. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13162. Epub 2017 Sep 13.
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- 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.
Roy N. Morcos, M.D. principal investigator
Bon Secours Mercy Health
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Methylprednisolone Injection [Solu-Medrol] and wrist splint in people with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, run by Mercy Health Ohio at 1 site in United States.
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 6 inclusion and 12 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: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Sep 2021. 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 United States. 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.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
Results are not available in the source record.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Roy N. Morcos, M.D. ((330)729-8700, roy_morcos@mercy.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Change in symptom severity from baseline to 6 weeks (time frame: Baseline, 6 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04515966, which also lists 13 linked publications.
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 9 Sep 2021; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.