Clinical Trial: Electrical Nerve Stimulation of the Ulnar Nerve

Study Status: Withdrawn
Recruit Status: Withdrawn
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Electrical Nerve Stimulation of the Ulnar Nerve During Cubital Tunnel Decompression Surgery: Does it Improve Long Term Functional Outcomes?

Brief Summary:

Cubital tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This leads to symptoms such as chronic hand weakness, numbness and pain. This is usually treated with a surgical procedure where the nerve is decompressed. Research has shown that nerve simulators speed up the recovery of nerves following injury. The purpose of our research is to examine the difference in patient outcomes after the nerve decompression surgery with and without nerve stimulation.

Our research questions is: What are the differences in long term functional outcomes of patients that have ulnar nerve decompression surgery with and without nerve stimulation?


Detailed Summary:

  1. Patients will be seen in University of Chicago clinics, if they are diagnosed with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, they will be approached to be enrolled in our study
  2. If they fit inclusion and exclusion criteria, failed conservative management, and consent to be part of the study, they will be scheduled for Cubital Tunnel Surgery and randomized into intervention/non-intervention group
  3. Patients will have pre-operative subjective pain and upper extremity function surveys and objective hand strength/sensation measurements done by a blinded Occupational Therapist in University of Chicago Occupational Therapy Clinic. Patient will also have a pre-operative EMG done.
  4. Patient will be discharged following surgery and followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months. EMG will be done at 3 months and the same outcome measurements (Pain scores, PRUNE evaluation, QuickDash Questionnaire, Michigan hand Questionnaire, grip strength, sensation measurements) will be taken at each postoperative visit by the same blinded occupational therapist
  5. Data will be compared pre and postoperatively

Sponsor: University of Chicago

Current Primary Outcome: Patient Related Ulnar Nerve Evaluation [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]

PRUNE Survey with 0-100 score


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • QuickDASH [ Time Frame: 10 minutes, pre op and each post op visit ]
    Survey
  • Michigan Hand Questionnaire [ Time Frame: 20 minutes, pre op and each post op visit ]
    Survey


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Chicago

Dates:
Date Received: September 30, 2015
Date Started: November 2015
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 3, 2017
Last Verified: April 2017