Pregabalin Phonophoresis for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition caused by pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness in the hand. Oral medications for nerve pain can have significant side effects. This study tests a new, non-invasive approach. Pregabalin, a medication for neuropathic pain, will be mixed into a gel and delivered through the skin using therapeutic ultrasound, a method called phonophoresis. This avoids the digestive system and may reduce side effects. This randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of pregabalin phonophoresis against standard ultrasound therapy (without the drug) in 57 patients aged 20-40 with mild to moderate CTS. Treatments will occur 4 times per week for one month. Pain will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and hand function using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. The study aims to determine if pregabalin phonophoresis provides superior pain relief and functional improvement compared to ultrasound alone, offering a new, safe, and cost-effective physiotherapy treatment for CTS.

NCT Number	NCT07613476
Lead Sponsor	University of Faisalabad
Conditions	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Enrollment	30 participants
Start Date	2026-01-01
Primary Completion	2026-07-19 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-07-19 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-08