Improving sensory function after carpal tunnel surgery (IMPACTS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pragmatic, assessor-blinded randomized trial of the clinical effectiveness of a 6-week sensory relearning home programme on tactile function of the hand after carpal tunnel decompression
IRAS ID
141063
Contact name
Christina Jerosch-Herold
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Research summary
study is looking at the effect of a home based sensory relearning programme in patients who continue to have sensory impairment after carpal tunnel decompression. Surgical decompression for moderate or severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most effective treatment for symptom relief and return to function long-term. However numbness or loss of finger sensibility can persist after surgery especially in patients with a long duration of symptoms and more severe pre-surgical impairment. Patients find it difficult to use their hand in everyday tasks like picking up small objects or buttening up a shirt. Sensory re-learning can be taught to patients and has been shown in nerve injuries to improve the sensibility and function of the hand. In a previous pilot trial we evaluated the effect of sensory relearning and assessed the acceptability and feasibility of conducting a larger scale trial. In this definitive trial patients who have undergone carpal tunnel decompression 12 months or more ago will be will asked to complete a short screening questionnaire asking them to indicate whether they have sensory impairments and to rate the severity of it. Those who report mild or worse sensory impairments will be invited to attend the clinical trials unit to clinically assessment for hand sensibility using validated tests of sensory function. Those in whom sensory impairment is confirmed by these tests will then be invited to participate in the trial. Consenting patients will be randomly (‘by the toss of coin’) allocated to receive either sensory relearning for 6 weeks or no intervention. The latter is standard practice. All patients will be reassessed at 6 and 12 weeks after the initial assessment and the results between the two groups compared to establish whether sensory relearning improves sensory function.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EE/0419
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion