Effects of Cerebral & Peripheral Electrical Stimulation on Pain and Function in CTS

This is a randomized, double-blind, multi-center, factorial clinical trial to study the effectiveness of cerebral and peripheral electrical stimulation on pain and functional limitations associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The study subjects will be randomly into four groups; (1) active trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) + active trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), (2) active tDCS + sham TENS, (3) sham tDCS + active TENS and (4) sham tDCS + sham TENS. The patient will be assessed by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4), Quantitative sensory testing (QST), Pain Pressure Test (PPT) with algometer, Conditioned pain modulation (CPM), Patient ratings of improvement, or worsening, of the pain condition, Quality of Life short-form (SF)-36, Visual Analog Mood Scale (VAMS), Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and Adverse Events Questionnaire (AEs). This study aims to investigate whether cerebral and peripheral electrical stimulation combined are more effective in relieving pain and functional limitations than the separate application of electrical stimulation in patients with CTS.