Non-surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Means of Mechanical Traction
Non-surgical Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Means of Mechanical Traction
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical traction in
 patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome compared to care as usual.
This randomized controlled trial will examine the effectiveness of mechanical traction
 compared to care as usual as a non-surgical treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS).

 Patients diagnosed with CTS are recruited from the outpatient neurology clinic of VieCuri
 Medical Center in Venlo, The Netherlands. They will be randomly assigned to the intervention
 or control group. Patients in the intervention group will receive 12 treatments with
 mechanical traction during six consecutive weeks. Patients in the control group will receive
 care as usual, which can include splinting, a corticosteroid injection, carpal tunnel release
 surgery or an expectant strategy. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12
 months after inclusion.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  diagnosed with CTS using electrodiagnostic testing

 -  being physically capable of visiting the outpatient clinic in Venlo twice per week

 -  being physically capable of sitting in upright position in a chair for 10-20 minutes,
 twice per week

 -  not intending to move outside the area within 3 months after inclusion

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  not understanding Dutch appropriately

 -  other known (rare) cause of neuropathy

 -  suffering from severe psychiatric disorders, such as personality disorder,
 schizophrenia or bipolar disorder