Immediate Effects of Paraffin Wax Therapy on Forearm and Hand Muscle Stiffness and Pain in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

NCT07260448 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ETU-P-WAX-CTS Trial
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the immediate effects of paraffin wax therapy on muscle stiffness and pain among patients diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The intervention involves immersing the hand and forearm in paraffin wax at 42-44 °C for 20 minutes. Stiffness will be measured using the MyotonPro device, and pain will be evaluated using standard visual scales.

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS); Muscle Stiffness

Keywords

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in muscle stiffness parameters

  Change in MyotonPro-derived muscle stiffness (Newton per metre) of selected forearm and hand muscles (adductor pollicis brevis, flexor digitorum superficialis, extensor carpi radialis brevis, flexor carpi ulnaris ). For each site, three consecutive impulses separated by at least 10 seconds will be averaged. The primary comparison is the between-group difference (paraffin vs rest) in pre- to post-session change scores.

  Immediately before the intervention and within 5 minutes after completion of the 20-minute paraffin/rest session (same visit)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in pain intensity

  Immediately before the intervention and within 5 minutes after completion of the 20-minute paraffin/rest session (same visit).

Study Arms (2)

Paraffin Wax Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive a single session of paraffin wax therapy to the affected hand and forearm. Muscle stiffness and pain are assessed immediately before and after the session.

Other: Paraffin Wax Therapy; Other: Rest Period (No Treatment)

Rest / Control

OTHER

Participants rest quietly for 20 minutes in a comfortable position with the forearm supported, without receiving paraffin wax or any other physical/thermal modality. Muscle stiffness and pain are assessed at the same time points as in the experimental arm.

Other: Paraffin Wax Therapy; Other: Rest Period (No Treatment)

Interventions

Paraffin Wax Therapy OTHER

Participants in the experimental arm receive paraffin wax therapy to the affected hand and forearm. Melted paraffin is maintained at approximately 42-44 °C. Using a brush-on technique, 10 consecutive layers of wax are applied, and the limb is then covered with a plastic glove and towel to retain heat. The participant remains seated with the forearm supported in a relaxed position for 20 minutes. Muscle stiffness (MyotonPro) and pain are measured immediately before and within 5 minutes after the session.

Paraffin Wax Therapy; Rest / Control

Rest Period (No Treatment) OTHER

Participants in the control arm rest quietly for 20 minutes in a comfortable seated or supine position with the forearm supported. No thermal, manual or exercise-based treatment is provided during this period. Muscle stiffness (MyotonPro) and pain are measured immediately before and within 5 minutes after the rest period, using the same procedures and time points as in the experimental arm.

Paraffin Wax Therapy; Rest / Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Clinically diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Age between 18 and 65 years.
• Apparently healthy, without a known chronic systemic disease (other than CTS).
• No history of other chronic musculoskeletal or neurological disorders.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous surgery on the affected wrist or hand.
• Systemic conditions affecting nerve function (e.g., diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease)
• Cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Amasya University: collaborator
• Erzurum Technical University: lead
• Bangor University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Erzurum Şehir Hastanesi

Erzurum, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Median Neuropathy; Mononeuropathies; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Sprains and Strains; Wounds and Injuries

Central Study Contacts

Esedullah Akaras, Dr.

CONTACT

4445388; esedullah.akaras@erzurum.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Model Details: Participants with carpal tunnel syndrome will be randomly assigned (1:1) to paraffin wax therapy or a control group; muscle stiffness and pain will be assessed immediately before and after the session.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2025
• First Posted: December 3, 2025
• Study Start: November 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 5, 2025
• Study Completion: December 6, 2025
• Last Updated: December 3, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)