Impact of Walking Aids on the Occurrence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Rehabilitation

Last updated: March 4, 2026
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Valida
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Peripheral Neuropathy

Treatment

nerve conduction study

Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire

ultrasonography wrists

Clinical Study ID

NCT06186284
23-001
2023/17JAN/025
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the use of technical walking aids in the adult population undergoing rehabilitation by evaluating clinical, electrophysiological, and iconographic parameters before and after the use of these devices.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • admitted into an in-patient rehabilitation unit

  • Functional Ambulation Category ≥ 1

  • de novo need for a walking aid

  • at least one functional upper limb

  • expected duration of need for walking aid at least one month

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • less than 18 years old

  • current use of walking aid or use of a walking aid less than 6 months ago)

  • difficulty filling out questionnaires or understanding instructions in French

  • medical contraindications to the use of walking aids

  • refusal to sign the consent form.

Study Design

Total Participants: 30
Treatment Group(s): 4
Primary Treatment: nerve conduction study
Phase:
Study Start date:
December 01, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2025

Study Description

The current evidence indicates that the short-term use of walking aids elicits pressure-induced anatomical changes of the median nerve and that long-term use of walking aids leads to a significant percentage of stroke patients developing clinical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. We will investigate the consequences of using technical walking aids for gait in a broader population of rehabilitation patients. The rehabilitation setting per se may be considered a useful clinical 'human pathological model' for peripheral nerve entrapment. Recruited patients will be naïve to previous use of walking aids and de novo will start using them for gait rehabilitation, regardless of the underlying disease. This intervention model will allow us to identify clinical, electrophysiological, and anatomical changes of the median nerve due to the daily direct pressure elicited by walking aids. We consider that a one-month duration of use of walking aids is needed to observe detectable changes in electrophysiological and ultrasonographical assessment to elicit entrapment neuropathies in patients prone to developing them.

Connect with a study center

  • Centre Hospitalier Valida

    Brussels, 1082
    Belgium

    Site Not Available

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