Effects of Task-Oriented Training and Mulligan Mobilization on Hand Function, Pain and Quality of Life in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT07029113 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 43834581758"
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease that frequently affects the hand joints. Over time, this disease leads to joint deformities, pain, decreased muscle strength and severe impairment in hand function. Functions such as independence in activities of daily living, hand skills and grip strength may be significantly limited in individuals with RA. Although hand rehabilitation is an important component of RA management, there is still a need for research on effective intervention strategies.

Conditions

Rheumatic Arthritis

Keywords

Rheumatic arthritis; Treatment; Mobilization

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Evaluation of Hand Grip Strength

  Hand grip strength of the participants was measured with a hand dynamometer (Takei Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd., Japan). During the test application, the standard positioning rules determined by the American Association of Hand Therapists will be followed. Accordingly, the participant will be ensured to be in an upright sitting position and the consistency of the measurements will be maintained by not allowing the arms to be supported.

  5 week

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Evaluation of Hand Functions

  5 week

• Evaluation of Pain Severity

  5 week

• Assessment of Quality of Life

  5 week

• Disease Activity

  5 week

Study Arms (3)

Conventional Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Conventional Group, the patients performed passive range of motion (PROM) exercises, mobilization of MCP, PIP and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints and isometric exercises. While PROM and isometric exercises were applied in 30 repetitions, joint mobilizations were performed by the therapist with moderate severity in the form of anteroposterior and mediolateral gliding.

Other: Conventional treatment

Mulligan Mobilization Group

EXPERIMENTAL

In the Mulligan mobilisation group, the therapist will apply a dorsal shift from the distal radius to the carpal bones and the patient will simultaneously extend the wrist. It is essential that the movement is painless; if any pain occurs during mobilisation, the direction or technique will be re-evaluated. This application will be performed in 8-10 repetitions and the frequency of the session will be planned according to the patient's symptoms.

Other: Mulligan mobilization; Other: Conventional treatment

Task-Oriented Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to MCP, PIP, DIP joint mobilisation and isometric exercises, the task-oriented training group will perform 30 repetitions of face washing, using a fork, drinking water with a glass, sitting and wearing a t-shirt exercises.

Other: Task-oriented trainig; Other: Conventional treatment

Interventions

Task-oriented trainig OTHER

In addition to MCP, PIP, DIP joint mobilisation and isometric exercises, the task-oriented training group will perform 30 repetitions of face washing, using a fork, drinking water with a glass, sitting and wearing a t-shirt exercises.

Task-Oriented Training Group

Mulligan mobilization OTHER

In patients included in the Mulligan mobilisation group, the therapist will apply a dorsal shift from the distal radius to the carpal bones and the patient simultaneously extends the wrist. It is essential that the movement is painless; if any pain occurs during mobilisation, the direction or technique is re-evaluated. This application is performed in 8-10 repetitions and the frequency of the session is planned according to the patient's symptoms.

Mulligan Mobilization Group

Conventional treatment OTHER

Passive range of motion exercises, metacarpopalangeal, proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint mobilisation and isometric exercises will be applied. Isometric exercises will be performed as 30 repetitions, while joint mobilisations will be performed by the therapist as moderate anteroposterior and mediolateral shifts.

Conventional Group; Mulligan Mobilization Group; Task-Oriented Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Followed for at least one year for the diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, aged between 30 and 65,
• Have the cognitive capacity to understand and follow the instructions given,
• Has not undergone upper extremity surgery for orthopaedic, neurological or other reasons
• Participants with functional capacity class I-II

You may not qualify if:

• Severe pain as assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (VAS \>7),
• Declaring the intention to withdraw from the study without giving any reason,
• Having a major psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia or major depression,
• Having cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke, uncontrolled hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kırşehir Ahi Evran University

Kırşehir, Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Rheumatic Fever

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Streptococcal Infections; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections; Bacterial Infections and Mycoses; Infections; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Study Officials

• Mehmet CANLI, PhD.

  Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

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

Model Details: Randomized controlled trials

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 8, 2025
• First Posted: June 19, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 8, 2025
• Study Completion: November 8, 2025
• Last Updated: December 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)