Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of tDCS in combination with TUS for the treatment of pain in subjects with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a decrease in pain levels with active stimulation, when compared to sham stimulation.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Able to provide informed consent to participate in the study 2. Subjects between 18 to 80 years old 3. Having symptomatic CTS spreading within or beyond the median nerve distribution (demonstrating 'extra-median spread'), involving at least 1 wrist, with chronic pain as defined by International Association for the Study of Pain (existing pain for at least 6 months and having pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months with an average of at least a 3 on a 0-10 VAS scale). 4. Pain resistant to first line therapies of chronic pain (pain still present at lower level…
Interventions
- Devicetranscranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Subjects will receive 20 minutes of either active or sham tDCS at intensity of 2mA. In the sham group, the tDCS device will not be active for the full 20 minutes.
- DeviceTranscranial Ultrasound (TUS)
Subjects will receive 20 minutes of either active or sham TUS. During active stimulation the ultrasound will be active for the full 20 minutes- however, during sham stimulation the ultrasound will not be active for the full 20 minutes.
Location
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Research InstituteCharlestown, Massachusetts