The Effect of Cassava Waxes Hot Bath on Pain, Pressure Pain Threshold and Hand Function Among Patients With Trigger Finger

NCT07128043 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: NarongsakMFU2568
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cassava wax hand immersion combined with ultrasound therapy on pain severity, pain threshold, finger locking frequency, and hand functional ability in patients with trigger finger. We assessed immediate, short-term, and long-term treatment outcomes. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-eight eligible volunteers were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group received ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax hand immersion, while the control group received ultrasound therapy alone. Treatments were administered three times per week for four weeks.

Conditions

Patients With Trigger Finger

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  This assesses the current pain severity using a 10-centimeter scale. Scores range from 0 to 10, where the far left end of the scale indicates "no pain at all" (score of 0), and the far right end indicates "worst pain imaginable" (score of 10). Participants were asked to mark an 'X' on the scale at the point corresponding to their current pain severity.

  - Time 1: Baseline or Day 1 - Time 2:After treatment, the first time of immediate effect - Time 3: After treatments in 4 weeks - Time 4: 1 month after finishing treatments in 4 weeks.

• Pressure pain threshold

  Participants were seated, and the assessor identified the location of the myofascial trigger point. This spot was marked with a washable pen. An algometer (a device used to measure pain threshold) was then applied to the marked trigger point at a rate of approximately 1 kg/second. Participants were instructed to signal immediately upon feeling the onset of pain (pain threshold). The applied pressure ranged from 0 to 11 kg/cm. Each participant underwent three measurements, with a 3-minute rest interval between each. The average of these three measurements was then calculated.

  - Time 1: Baseline or Day 1 - Time 2:After treatment, the first time of immediate effect - Time 3: After treatments in 4 weeks - Time 4: 1 month after finishing treatments in 4 weeks.

• Pain frequency

  Participants were interviewed regarding the frequency of finger locking symptoms and the number of finger locking episodes per day.

  - Time 1: Baseline or Day 1 - Time 2: After treatments in 4 weeks - Time 3: 1 month after finishing treatments in 4 weeks.

• Disability of the arm, shoulder and hand

  This is a questionnaire designed to assess the level of upper extremity impairment. It evaluates the functional ability of the wrist and finger joints, comprising 30 questions related to the patient's daily life activities and work capacity.

  - Time 1: Baseline or Day 1 - Time 2: After treatments in 4 weeks - Time 3: 1 month after finishing treatments in 4 weeks.

Study Arms (2)

ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax hot immersion

EXPERIMENTAL

ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax hot immersion group and ultrasound therapy only

Device: ultrasound therapy and cassava wax hot immersion

ultrasound therapy

SHAM COMPARATOR

ultrasound therapy

Device: ultrasound therapy

Interventions

ultrasound therapy and cassava wax hot immersion DEVICE

participants sat in a comfortable position with their hand placed on a pillow or cushion. Ultrasound gel was applied to the base of the painful finger, and ultrasound therapy was performed for 5 minutes at a frequency of 3 MHz and an intensity of 0.5-1 W/cm. Afterward, the hand was cleaned and immersed in cassava wax heated to 125°F (51.7°C). The affected hand was dipped into the wax for 3 seconds, then removed. This process was repeated for 10 cycles. The hand was then wrapped in a plastic bag and a towel for 15 minutes before the wax was removed and peeled off.

ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax hot immersion

ultrasound therapy DEVICE

1\. ultrasound therapy Ultrasound gel was applied to the base of the painful finger, and ultrasound therapy was performed for 5 minutes at a frequency of 3 MHz and an intensity of 0.5-1 W/cm.

ultrasound therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Having a diagnosis of trigger finger by a physician or a specialized physical therapist
• Present with all of the following symptoms: pain at the base of the affected finger, triggering (catching/locking) as a primary symptom (though pain often increased with it), and a palpable or audible triggering sensation during finger flexion and extension.
• Able to understand and follow the research procedures.

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of neurological conditions, such as stroke or diseases causing sensory impairment in the upper limbs.
• Having arthritis or infection in the upper limbs
• Having Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Having a skin condition in the wrist or hand area, upper limb fractures within the last 6 months, or those affecting movement.
• Having musculoskeletal deformities of the upper limbs that impact movement.
• Having an inflammation (e.g., pain, swelling, redness, warmth) in the wrist and fingers
• Having a history of upper limb surgery, an allergy to cassava starch/flour.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Phayao: lead

Study Sites (1)

Narongsak Khamnon

Chiang Rai, Tha Sut, 57100, Thailand

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Ultrasonic Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences

Model Details: Arm 1: Name: Cassava waxes hot bath group ( Experimental group) Type: Experimental Description: Ultrasound therapy combined with cassava wax hot immersion Arm 2: Name: Control or comparison group Type: Active Comparator (Control) Description: Ultrasound therapy only

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2025
• First Posted: August 17, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2025
• Study Completion: October 30, 2025
• Last Updated: August 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TH (1)