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Manual Therapy for Hand Osteoarthritis

Neural Manual vs. Robotic Assisted Mobilization to Improve Hand Range of Motion and Reduce Pain Hypersensitivity in Hand Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02701335
Enrollment
72
Registered
2016-03-08
Start date
2016-07-31
Completion date
2018-04-30
Last updated
2016-08-26

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hand Osteoarthritis

Keywords

Osteoarthritis, Hand, Rehabilitation

Brief summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand is a major cause of pain and functional limitation, central sensitization of pain can be one of the causes: this hypothesis opens avenues for research in the modulation of pain pathways. The peripherally directed therapies may modulate pain perception bilaterally. This hypothesis opens avenues for future research in the modulation of pain pathways, perhaps offering targets to optimize peripheral manual and physical therapies for pain management in hand OA. Several studies have reported the outcomes of multimodal approach to central sensitization evaluated by generalized pressure pain hypersensitivity in patients with carpometacarpal (CMC) OA. Neurodynamic techniques are a form of manual therapy directed to the neural structures through positioning and movement of multiple joints. Recent technologies have facilitated the use of robots as tools to assist patients in the rehabilitation process thus maximizing patient outcomes. These robotic tools assist the patient with carrying out exercise protocols, optimal for the activity of the control group.

Interventions

DEVICENeural mobilization

The first 6 exercises consist of active range of motion movements of the hand designed to improve joint flexibility. The remaining 3 exercises are designed to strengthen grip and pinch by using a non-latex polymer ball: the Thera-Band Hand Exerciser (The Hygenic Corporation, Akron, OH) Subjects began with 10 repetitions the first 4 sessions, progressed to 12 repetitions the next 2 sessions, then 15 (2 sessions), and finally 20, if able, during the last sessions.

Robotic assisted passive mobilization.

DEVICEStandardized exercise

9 exercises: active range of motion, strengthen grip and pinch

Sponsors

Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Osteoarthritis of the dominant hand. To be included in the study, the subjects need to have a history of repetitive use of their dominant hand (eg, ex-factory worker) and a diagnosis of hand OA in the dominant hand, according on radiographic findings.

Exclusion criteria

* If they score greater than 6 points on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or more than 30 points in the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Patients with a medical history of carpal tunnel syndrome, surgical interventions to the hand, DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, or with degenerative or non-degenerative neurological conditions in which pain perception is altered will be excluded. None of the individuals in this study will have received prior interventions for hand OA.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change from Pain intensity at 3 monthsbaseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1- and 3-month post-interventions, Baseline up to 5 minutes.visual analogue scale
Change from QuickDASH questionnaire at 3 monthsbaseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 1- and 3-month post-interventions Baseline, up to 5 minutes.will be used to measure upper extremity function
Change from Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT) at 3 monthsBaseline and immediately post-interventionand, at 1- and 3-month post-interventions.is a quantitative sensory test of tissue sensitivity and it is defined as the minimal amount of pressure that produces pain, measured via a pressure algometer. PPT will be assessed bilaterally over the hand (first CMC at the center of the anatomical snuffbox, and unciform apophysis of the hamate bone), the C5-C6 zygapophyseal joint, the median, ulnar and radial nerves, and tibialis anterior muscle by an assessor blinded to the subjects condition.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Motor conduction velocityBaseline up to 5 minutes
Range of MotionBaseline up to 5 minutes

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026