FINCATS is expanding to Tampere University Hospital

Cover photo by Jonne Renvall / Tampere University

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The FINCATS study is expanding to Tampere University Hospital, where the site initiation monitoring visit has now been successfully completed. The Tampere research team is preparing to begin patient recruitment in October.

FINCATS is the world’s first sham-surgery-controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of surgical treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. The study aims to provide patients and clinicians with reliable evidence on the benefits and potential harms of carpal tunnel release surgery to support treatment decisions.

A total of 180 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome will be randomized to undergo either standard carpal tunnel release surgery or a sham surgical procedure. During the study, participants will remain unaware of which procedure they received. The sham procedure closely resembles the standard operation, but the carpal tunnel is not entered and the transverse carpal ligament is not divided.

The successful monitoring visit in Tampere marked an important step in the study’s expansion. The local team reviewed the practical study procedures and site readiness, and the visit confirmed that preparations are progressing well ahead of recruitment.

The Tampere site is led by Principal Investigator Jarkko Jokihaara. The team pictured at the monitoring visit includes Camilla Hellevuo, Laura Salo, Tuomas Rajamäki, Marketta Rautanen, Janika Pietilä and Jarkko Jokihaara. Monitoring was conducted by Seija Rautiainen (not pictured).

Other team members who were absent or participated remotely include Teemu Karjalainen, Anniina Ukkola, Henrikki Rönkkö, Lasse Linnanmäki, Olli Kutvonen, Reetta Kvist and Patrick Luukinen. At FICEBO, the RCT is coordinated by Research Coordinators Kati Jaatinen and Saara Raatikainen.

With the monitoring visit completed and the Tampere team ready to begin recruitment, FINCATS is taking an important step forward in its expansion.