Survey-Based Study on Recovery Period Differences in Upper Extremity Injuries Among Indoor Climbers by Treatment Method

NCT07278791 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-06-034-002
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the differences in recovery periods of upper extremity injuries among indoor climbers according to their treatment methods. The research focuses on comparing the recovery duration, specifically the time to return to climbing, between those who received professional physical therapy and those who relied on self-treatment or other conservative management. Additionally, this survey-based observational study seeks to explore how individual and training-related factors - such as warm-up duration, climbing frequency, and years of experience - affect the occurrence and recurrence of upper extremity injuries. Participants will complete an online questionnaire consisting of demographic data, climbing habits, injury characteristics, treatment methods, and recovery outcomes. The data will be collected anonymously and analyzed to determine whether the type of treatment correlates with faster recovery or reduced reinjury risk. The findings are expected to provide foundational evidence for developing effective rehabilitation and injury-prevention strategies for indoor climbers, and to guide clinicians and trainers in selecting appropriate treatment approaches for upper extremity injuries.

Conditions

Upper Extremity Injury

Keywords

Indoor Climbing; Bouldering; Physical Therapy; Self-Treatment; Rehabilitation; Injury Recovery; Upper Limb; Sports Injury

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Mean Recovery Duration (Weeks) According to Treatment Type

  The average number of weeks required for indoor climbers to achieve full recovery and return to climbing after upper extremity injury, compared across treatment types (self-care, physical therapy, injection, surgery/rehabilitation).

  12 months (retrospective survey)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Reinjury Rate Within 12 Months

  12 months

• Pain Resolution Duration (Weeks)

  12 months (retrospective survey)

• Return-to-Climbing Criteria (Self-Reported)

  12 months

Study Arms (4)

Self-Treatment Group

Participants who treated their upper extremity injury through self-managed care such as rest, cold/heat therapy, taping, or over-the-counter medication.

Physical Therapy Group

Participants who received professional non-surgical physical therapy, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, or extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Injection Therapy Group

Participants who received non-surgical injection treatments such as prolotherapy, PRP, or steroid injections for upper extremity injury.

Surgery/Rehabilitation Group

Participants who underwent surgical or invasive procedures followed by rehabilitation or exercise-based recovery programs.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will include indoor climbers aged 18 to 50 who experienced an upper extremity injury related to climbing within the past 12 months and received any form of treatment. Participants will be recruited from climbing communities, gyms, and online platforms. Only non-professional climbers will be included to ensure generalizability to the general indoor climbing population.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18-50 years.
• Individuals who have participated in indoor climbing within the past 12 months.
• Individuals who have experienced an upper extremity injury (e.g., finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder; tendonitis, ligament injury, muscle tear) during indoor climbing within the past 12 months.
• Individuals who received any form of treatment (self-care, physical therapy, injection, surgery, rehabilitation exercise) for the injury.
• Individuals who can provide informed consent and complete an online questionnaire.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who underwent major orthopedic surgery or fracture-related surgery unrelated to climbing.
• Individuals who required hospitalization or long-term inpatient treatment (\>3 months) due to severe musculoskeletal conditions.
• Individuals currently receiving ongoing treatment for the same injury.
• Individuals with neurological, systemic, or medical conditions that significantly affect musculoskeletal recovery.
• Climbing coaches, professional climbers, or clinicians providing treatment (to avoid expert bias).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sahmyook University: lead

Related Publications (1)

• Schoffl V, Popp D, Kupper T, Schoffl I. Injury trends in rock climbers: evaluation of a case series of 911 injuries between 2009 and 2012. Wilderness Environ Med. 2015 Mar;26(1):62-7. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2014.08.013.

  PMID: 25712297 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arm Injuries; Athletic Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Changyong Choi, PT, MPT Candidate

  Sahmyook University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Seungwon Lee, PhD, PT

  Sahmyook University

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Changyong Choi, PT, MPT Candidate

CONTACT

+82-10-7184-3782; libetoi2@naver.com

Seungwon Lee, PhD, PT

CONTACT

+82-2-3399-1638; swl@syu.ac.kr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 1, 2025
• First Posted: December 12, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2026
• Study Completion: April 30, 2026
• Last Updated: December 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share