A for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS/SMF Trial)

The purpose of this Phase II study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a large scale trial which will evaluate the effectiveness of static magnetic field therapy as a treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This preliminary study will determine which of three strength magnets to use in the future. Participants will be recruited from three primary sources. 1) Patients with a possible diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome who have been referred to the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Clinics of OHSU for Nerve conduction studies. If after conducting these studies a potential participant shows evidence of mild to moderate Carpal Tunnel Syndrome s/he will be informed about the study and invited to participate in additional screening. B) Patients seen at the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) Clinics who have a clinical diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome will be informed about the study and invited to enter the screening process for further eligibility. C) Participants will also be recruited from the general public including staff and students at OHSU and NCNM). Eligibility will be determined through a stepwise process including telephone screening for general eligibility, Nerve Conduction screening for electrodiagnostic eligibility, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire screening for symptom severity eligibility. Those potential participants who meet all eligibility requirements will be randomized to one of three magnetic field dosages. They will be provided with a ¾" diameter x 1/8" thick magnet which they will be required to apply for six weeks during the hours of sleep. Over the course of the study participants will have four visits to the General Clinical Research Center of OHSU and three visits to the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Clinics of OHSU for Nerve Conduction studies to be performed by either Dr. Nels Carlson or Dr. Hans Carlson. Questionnaires to be completed during the course of the study include a general health information and demographics questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, which will be completed on six occasions, a general symptoms checklist and a Post Treatment Participant satisfaction questionnaire. Recruitment, retention, compliance and safety will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Effectiveness of the three different strength magnets will be assessed by comparing participants' baseline scores on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire with their scores after six weeks of magnet use.