The Effects of a Structured Hand Exercise Program on Trigger Finger: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT06911762 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HSEARS20241227004
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 76
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

To explore the effectiveness of a structured hand exercise program as a conservative treatment for trigger finger.

Conditions

Trigger Finger

Keywords

Trigger finger; tenosynovitis; physiotherapy; conservative treatment; Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during triggering or movement

  NPRS consists of 11-point numeric scale from '0' (no pain) to '10' (worst pain imaginable). Participants rate the pain level based on their own pain intensity from 0-10

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Trigger finger stage in the Green Classification

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

• Frequency of triggering

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

• Functional score by Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Hong Kong version)

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

• Grip strength of the affected hand

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

• Structural changes using musculoskeletal ultrasound (A1 pulley thickness, flexor tendon thicknesses, A1 pulley lumen size)

  Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline

Study Arms (2)

Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will receive no intervention.

Interventions

Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a 6-week structured hand exercise program. Participants will attend a face-to-face exercise session to learn all hand exercises. The exercise program will include: (1) Finger flexor stretching, (2) Tendon gliding exercise and (3) Isometric finger flexor exercise. A weekly tele follow-up will be done to participants in the experimental group

Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults with aged \> 18 years old who are diagnosed with trigger finger
• The Green classification grade 2 or grade 3
• Pain (NPRS) equal or more than 4/10, during active triggering

You may not qualify if:

• Pediatric or congenital trigger finger
• Previously received physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection or surgery for trigger finger
• Hand trauma, local infection or using systemic steroids due to other diseases

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Trigger Finger Disorder; Tenosynovitis; Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Tendon Entrapment; Tendinopathy; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Freddy Man Hin LAM, PhD

CONTACT

+852 2766-6720; freddy-mh.lam@polyu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2025
• First Posted: April 4, 2025
• Study Start: April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR

Locations

HK (1)