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Graded Motor Imagery in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

30 de agosto de 2026 actualizado por: Zeynep Yıldız Kızkın, Artvin Coruh University

Is There an Advantage to Incorporating a Central Nervous System-targeted Intervention Within an Exercise Program for Individuals Diagnosed With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the addition of Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) to progressive neurodynamic exercises is more effective than progressive neurodynamic exercises alone in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The objectives are to reduce pain and symptom severity, improve pain, sensorimotor function, physical performance, and grip strength through the addition of GMI.

Descripción general del estudio

Estado

Aún no reclutando

Condiciones

Intervención / Tratamiento

Descripción detallada

46 voluntary patients with CTS, aged between 30-60 years will be randomly divided into two groups: GMI and progressive neurodynamic exercise group. Interventions will be applied for 6 weeks, 2 times a week (12 sessions). Both groups will receive progressive neurodynamic exercises and a nighttime resting splint. The GMI group will additionally receive Graded Motor Imagery, while the control group will receive no additional intervention. The patients will be assessed before, and after treatment. Upper extremity function and disability will be assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, cognitive status will be screened using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and symptom severity and functional status related to CTS will be evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ). Sensory function will be assessed using the Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test and the Two-Point Discrimination Test, fine manual dexterity will be evaluated using the Purdue Pegboard Test, and hand grip strength will be measured using a Jamar hand dynamometer.

Tipo de estudio

Intervencionista

Inscripción (Estimado)

46

Fase

  • No aplica

Contactos y Ubicaciones

Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.

Estudio Contacto

Criterios de participación

Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.

Criterio de elegibilidad

Edades elegibles para estudiar

  • Adulto

Acepta Voluntarios Saludables

No

Descripción

Inclusion Criteria:

  • mild to moderate unilateral CTS based on the Bland classification of electrodiagnostic testing ;
  • positive Phalen or Tinel tests;
  • symptoms such as paresthesia and pain associated with CTS that last longer than 3 months;
  • patients aged 30-60 years (when CTS becomes more prevalent);
  • patients who achieved a minimum score of 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • bilateral CTS;
  • history of prior CTS surgery;
  • clinical indicators of cervical radiculopathy or polyneuropathy;
  • pregnancy or cognitive impairment;
  • the presence of orthopedic, neurological, or functional problems on the unaffected side that could affect hand function (e.g., history of trauma or surgery, peripheral nerve injury, tendinopathy, tenosynovitis, trigger finger, arthritis, sequelae of a fracture, etc.);
  • receipt of any conservative treatment for CTS within the last month.

Plan de estudios

Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.

¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?

Detalles de diseño

  • Propósito principal: Tratamiento
  • Asignación: Aleatorizado
  • Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
  • Enmascaramiento: Único

Armas e Intervenciones

Grupo de participantes/brazo
Intervención / Tratamiento
Experimental: Graded Motor Imagery
Each patient in the Graded Motor Imagery group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of Graded Motor Imagery, progressive neurodynamic exercises, and nighttime resting splints.
Otro: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)

GMI includes three stages. GMI program will span over 6 weeks. The first 2 weeks will focus on lateralization, followed by 2 weeks of motor imagery, and the final 2 weeks will involve mirror therapy.

Lateralization: Patients will be asked to differentiate whether the hands shown in the Recognise™ Hand application belongs to the right or left side of their body.

Motor Imagery: Patients will be instructed to imagine slowly and smoothly moving their affected extremities to the posture depicted in the photos in the Recognise™ Hand application and then returning to the starting position.

Mirror Therapy: Using a mirror measuring 300 x 300 x 300 mm³ placed between the upper extremities, patients will be instructed to progressively move only their unaffected extremity, then their affected extremity, and finally both extremities.

Otro: Progressive Neurodynamic Exercise
The progressive neurodynamic exercises involved holding each position for 5 seconds. Each session included two sets of 10 repetitions (2×10). The treatment lasted for 30-minute sessions, conducted twice weekly over a total of 6 weeks.
Otro: Nighttime Resting Splint
The night splint was fitted with a wrist splint that keeps the wrist in a neutral position, permits finger flexion, maintains the wrist within a 0°-5° extension range, and ends just distal to the distal palmar crease.
Comparador activo: Progressive Neurodynamic Exercises
Each patient in the progressive neurodynamic exercises group will receive a treatment protocol consisting of progressive neurodynamic exercises and nighttime resting splints.
Otro: Progressive Neurodynamic Exercise
The progressive neurodynamic exercises involved holding each position for 5 seconds. Each session included two sets of 10 repetitions (2×10). The treatment lasted for 30-minute sessions, conducted twice weekly over a total of 6 weeks.
Otro: Nighttime Resting Splint
The night splint was fitted with a wrist splint that keeps the wrist in a neutral position, permits finger flexion, maintains the wrist within a 0°-5° extension range, and ends just distal to the distal palmar crease.

¿Qué mide el estudio?

Medidas de resultado primarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
DASH is a 30-item self-report tool assessing upper-extremity disability and symptoms, including daily activities, pain, numbness, joint stiffness, weakness, sleep issues, and psychological effects. Examples include turning a doorknob, changing a light bulb, and cutting food. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms and impairment.
Baseline
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH)
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
DASH is a 30-item self-report tool assessing upper-extremity disability and symptoms, including daily activities, pain, numbness, joint stiffness, weakness, sleep issues, and psychological effects. Examples include turning a doorknob, changing a light bulb, and cutting food. Scores range from 0 to 100; higher scores indicate more severe symptoms and impairment.
After the 6-week intervention

Medidas de resultado secundarias

Medida de resultado
Medida Descripción
Periodo de tiempo
Mini examen del estado mental
Periodo de tiempo: Base
El Mini-Examen del Estado Mental (MMSE) se utilizará para evaluar el estado cognitivo de los pacientes. Consta de 11 preguntas y se evalúa en una escala de 30 puntos. Una puntuación entre 24 y 30 se considera normal, entre 18 y 23 indica un deterioro cognitivo leve y una puntuación de 17 o menos es indicativa de demencia grave. El MMSE evalúa la orientación, la memoria, la atención, el cálculo, la memoria, el lenguaje, la función motora, la percepción y las habilidades visuoespaciales.
Base
Mini Mental State Examination
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to assess the cognitive status of patients. It consists of 11 questions and is evaluated on a scale of 30 points. A score between 24-30 is considered normal, 18-23 indicates mild cognitive impairment, and a score of 17 or below is indicative of severe dementia. The MMSE assesses orientation, memory, attention, calculation, recall, language, motor function, perception, and visuospatial abilities.
After the 6-week intervention
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ)
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
A patient-reported assessment uses a 5-point Likert scale with two subscales: the 11-item Symptom Severity Scale (CTSQ-S) for symptom intensity like numbness and pain, and the 8-item Functional Status Scale (CTSQ-F) for ADL ability such as writing and dressing. Higher scores mean more severe symptoms and impairment. The BCTQ shows high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to clinical changes.
Baseline
Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ)
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
A patient-reported assessment uses a 5-point Likert scale with two subscales: the 11-item Symptom Severity Scale (CTSQ-S) for symptom intensity like numbness and pain, and the 8-item Functional Status Scale (CTSQ-F) for ADL ability such as writing and dressing. Higher scores mean more severe symptoms and impairment. The BCTQ shows high reliability, validity, and sensitivity to clinical changes.
After the 6-week intervention
The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
The assessment used a monofilament test (0.49-0.96), known for high sensitivity in diagnosing CTS. Sensory thresholds were checked at the radial tips of the thumbs, index, middle, and ring fingers. The monofilament was applied perpendicularly to the dorsal finger pads with eyes closed and the wrist in a neutral position. Pressure was applied for 1 to 1.5 seconds until slight bending of the filament. Lower readings indicate better sensory function; higher readings suggest worse light touch perception. A gauge of 2.83 grams is the normal threshold, while 3.22 grams or higher indicates moderate-to-severe sensory impairment in CTS.
Baseline
The Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
The assessment used a monofilament test (0.49-0.96), known for high sensitivity in diagnosing CTS. Sensory thresholds were checked at the radial tips of the thumbs, index, middle, and ring fingers. The monofilament was applied perpendicularly to the dorsal finger pads with eyes closed and the wrist in a neutral position. Pressure was applied for 1 to 1.5 seconds until slight bending of the filament. Lower readings indicate better sensory function; higher readings suggest worse light touch perception. A gauge of 2.83 grams is the normal threshold, while 3.22 grams or higher indicates moderate-to-severe sensory impairment in CTS.
After the 6-week intervention
Purdue Pegboard Test
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
The Purdue Pegboard consists of 50 holes in two columns, with pins, washers, and sleeves in four recesses at the top. Patients sat in front of the apparatus and performed four tests: the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, two-hand, and assembly test. For the hand tests, they inserted pins into holes with their hands for 30 seconds each; the two-hand test used both hands. In the assembly test, they placed materials in order: pin → washer → collars → washer within 60 seconds. Each test was repeated three times, and scores were averaged. This test assesses fine motor skills, coordination, finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and small object manipulation; lower scores indicate poorer hand skills.
Baseline
Purdue Pegboard Test
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
The Purdue Pegboard consists of 50 holes in two columns, with pins, washers, and sleeves in four recesses at the top. Patients sat in front of the apparatus and performed four tests: the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, two-hand, and assembly test. For the hand tests, they inserted pins into holes with their hands for 30 seconds each; the two-hand test used both hands. In the assembly test, they placed materials in order: pin → washer → collars → washer within 60 seconds. Each test was repeated three times, and scores were averaged. This test assesses fine motor skills, coordination, finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and small object manipulation; lower scores indicate poorer hand skills.
After the 6-week intervention
The Two-Point Discrimination Test
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
The two-point discrimination threshold was evaluated using an esthesiometer applied to the pulp of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. During the evaluation, participants' eyes remained closed, and light stimuli, consisting of either one or two points, were randomly presented along the longitudinal axis of the fingers. The procedure began at a distance of 5 mm, with 10 trials conducted at each specified interval. If the participant failed to achieve at least seven correct responses, the distance was increased by 1 mm, and the test was repeated. The discrimination threshold was defined as the smallest distance at which at least seven out of ten responses were correct. Testing was discontinued at a maximum distance of 15 mm, with values below 6 mm considered within normal limits.
Baseline
The Two-Point Discrimination Test
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
The two-point discrimination threshold was evaluated using an esthesiometer applied to the pulp of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. During the evaluation, participants' eyes remained closed, and light stimuli, consisting of either one or two points, were randomly presented along the longitudinal axis of the fingers. The procedure began at a distance of 5 mm, with 10 trials conducted at each specified interval. If the participant failed to achieve at least seven correct responses, the distance was increased by 1 mm, and the test was repeated. The discrimination threshold was defined as the smallest distance at which at least seven out of ten responses were correct. Testing was discontinued at a maximum distance of 15 mm, with values below 6 mm considered within normal limits.
After the 6-week intervention
Grip Strength
Periodo de tiempo: Baseline
Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. The participant sat comfortably with shoulder abducted, elbow at 90°, and forearm neutral. The wrist was between 0° and 30° extension. Each hand was tested three times with one-minute rests, and the average was recorded.
Baseline
Grip Strength
Periodo de tiempo: After the 6-week intervention
Grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer. The participant sat comfortably with shoulder abducted, elbow at 90°, and forearm neutral. The wrist was between 0° and 30° extension. Each hand was tested three times with one-minute rests, and the average was recorded.
After the 6-week intervention

Colaboradores e Investigadores

Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.

Patrocinador

Artvin Coruh University

Investigadores

  • Investigador principal: Zeynep Yıldız Kızkın, Artvin Coruh University

Fechas de registro del estudio

Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados ​​por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.

Fechas importantes del estudio

Inicio del estudio (Estimado)

1 de marzo de 2027

Finalización primaria (Estimado)

1 de julio de 2027

Finalización del estudio (Estimado)

30 de diciembre de 2027

Fechas de registro del estudio

Enviado por primera vez

30 de agosto de 2026

Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

30 de agosto de 2026

Publicado por primera vez (Actual)

2 de septiembre de 2026

Actualizaciones de registros de estudio

Última actualización publicada (Actual)

2 de septiembre de 2026

Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad

30 de agosto de 2026

Última verificación

1 de agosto de 2026

Más información

Términos relacionados con este estudio

Palabras clave

Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales

Otros números de identificación del estudio

  • Graded Motor Imagery in CTS

Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)

¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?

NO

Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio

Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.

No

Esta información se obtuvo directamente del sitio web clinicaltrials.gov sin cambios. Si tiene alguna solicitud para cambiar, eliminar o actualizar los detalles de su estudio, comuníquese con register@clinicaltrials.gov. Tan pronto como se implemente un cambio en clinicaltrials.gov, también se actualizará automáticamente en nuestro sitio web. .

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