Actively Recruiting

Age: 25Years - 75Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID07447323

Investigation of Thumb Proprioception in Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis

Led by Hacettepe University · Updated on 2026-03-03

100

Participants Needed

1

Research Sites

8 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are examining thumb proprioception, which is the ability to sense the position and movement of the thumb, in people with trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint osteoarthritis compared to healthy individuals. This observational study aims to compare proprioceptive measurements between those with TMC osteoarthritis at different stages and healthy controls. It also explores how factors like personal characteristics, muscle strength, hand use, pain, touch sensation, and emotional conditions such as anxiety and depression relate to thumb proprioception. Participants include individuals diagnosed with TMC osteoarthritis classified by disease severity using radiographs and a healthy control group. Thumb proprioception is assessed through joint position sense error measurements at the TMC, metacarpophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints, as well as a pinch aperture proprioception test. For a subgroup of participants, the repeatability of the pinch aperture test is checked by repeating it within one week. No treatments are administered as part of this study. During the study visit, participants undergo a single assessment of thumb proprioception along with tests of joint mobility, muscle strength, pain levels, sensory functions, hand performance, and emotional status. Questionnaires about thumb disability, upper extremity function, anxiety, depression, and fear of movement are also completed. The research team monitors comfort during assessments and maintains confidentiality. The total participation involves one visit for measurements and questionnaires, with data analyzed to understand proprioceptive function related to osteoarthritis.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Thumb Proprioception in Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis

Who Can Participate

Age: 25Years - 75Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Voluntary participation
  • Radiographic Eaton-Littler stage I-IV confirmed by an orthopedic specialist (for TMC OA group)
  • Symptom duration of at least 6 months (for TMC OA group)
  • Age between 25 and 75 years
  • Pain intensity 4 or less on Visual Analog Scale during daily activities at assessment (for TMC OA group)
  • Ability to actively perform at least 40° palmar abduction of the thumb (for TMC OA group)
  • Adequate cognitive capacity to understand and perform study procedures (for participants aged 65 years or older: Montreal Cognitive Assessment score 21 or higher)
  • No thumb pain (for control group)
  • No clinical signs of TMC osteoarthritis (for control group)
  • Negative provocation tests (for control group)
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Inability to abduct the thumb beyond 40° due to severe pain or deformity (especially advanced stage III-IV)
  • Acute trauma or prior surgery of the hand or wrist
  • Conservative treatment for hand/thumb pain in the same extremity within the previous 6 months
  • Current use of anti-inflammatory medication
  • Peripheral nerve disorders affecting proprioception (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, dorsal radial nerve irritation, cervical radiculopathy, double crush syndrome)
  • Concomitant upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., trigger finger, De Quervain's disease)
  • Generalized joint hypermobility (Beighton score 4 or higher)
  • Neuromuscular, systemic peripheral neuropathic, autoimmune, rheumatic, or infectious diseases
  • Active malignancy
  • Neurological conditions affecting pain perception
  • Visual impairment
  • Pregnancy

AI-Screening

AI-Powered Screening

Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Diagnostic Evaluation

Duration - Single day

Participants undergo a standardized assessment of thumb proprioception and related motor, sensory, and emotional functions to evaluate joint position sense and pinch aperture proprioception.

1 visit (in-person)

Repeatability Assessment

Duration - Within 1 week

A subgroup of participants undergo a repeat of the pinch aperture proprioception test by the same assessor within one week to evaluate measurement repeatability.

1 follow-up visit (in-person)

Trial Site Locations

Total: 1 location

1

Hacettepe University

Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye), 06100

Actively Recruiting

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Research Team

M

Merve Sümeyye Yılmaz, PT

Ç

Çiğdem Ayhan Kuru, PT, PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Masking

N/A

Allocation

N/A

Model

N/A

Primary Purpose

N/A

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Predictive factors affecting functional outcomes following conservative treatment in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: A systematic review.

Tugba Ulusoy, Cigdem Ayhan Kuru

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41500919