Acute Effect of Topical Menthol on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (IRMA)

National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark

Status: Completed

Conditions: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Treatments: Other: Placebo; Other: Menthol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01716767

IRMA07

Details and patient eligibility

About

Topical menthol gels are classified 'topical analgesics' and are used to relieve pain of the musculoskeletal system. However, double-blind randomized controlled trials are lacking. Here the investigators examine - in a double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial - the acute effect of topical menthol (Biofreeze) and placebo (gel with a menthol scent) on pain symptoms in slaughterhouse workers with symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 67 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• positive Phalen test
• positive Tinel test
• nocturnal hand/wrist pain
• pain intensity of at least 4 in the hand/wrist
• the pain should have lasted at least 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• pregnancy
• life-threatening disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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10 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Menthol

Experimental group

Description:

Biofreeze topical gel containing 3.5% menthol

Treatment:

Other: Menthol

Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Topical gel containing a menthol scent, but no active menthol

Treatment:

Other: Placebo