Technology-based Hand Rehabilitation in Older People

NCT07507279 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: TBAEK-185
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Because hand and cognitive functions decline in the elderly, intervention programs addressing these problems are necessary. In recent years, creating rehabilitation programs using technology has gained popularity. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of technology-based rehabilitation using LMC (Light Mood Enhancer) and dual upper extremity tasks on joint position sense, grip strength, functionality, and executive functions in elderly individuals; and to compare these effects with those of an exercise program performed solely with an LMC device and a control group consisting of a hand rehabilitation program performed with a physiotherapist. The research is a randomized controlled trial and will consist of 3 groups. After randomization, individuals' joint position sense, gross and fine grip strength, functionality, and executive functions will be evaluated. Evaluations will be performed twice, at the beginning and end of the 8-week program.

Conditions

Older Adults (65 Years and Older)

Keywords

older adults; hand rehabilitation; technology; dual task

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Joint sense position

  Wrist joint position sense of individuals will be assessed using a digital inclinometer. In this method, the individual will be actively guided to the desired position by the physiotherapist, held in that position for 5 seconds, and asked to remember the position. The individual will then be asked to return their wrist to that position. Wrist position sense assessment will be based on the principle of actively repeating the predetermined target angle. All axes of movement of the wrist in flexion, extension, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation directions will be evaluated. The target angles used in the assessment will be determined as 30° for flexion and extension, 10° for radial deviation, and 15° for ulnar deviation. The angle of the participant's wrist in all axes of movement will be noted, and the absolute difference between this angle and the target angle will be recorded as the "Joint Position Sense Error Amount"

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

• Hand function

  The Nine-Hole Peg Test (9HPT) is a standardized, timed, quantitative assessment of fine manual dexterity. The test requires placing 9 pegs into holes on a board one-by-one and then removing them, using one hand at a time, to measure hand-eye coordination and finger speed. Less time means better performance.

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

• Hand function

  Jebsen hand function tes will be used for hand function. It is a standardized, clinician-administered assessment designed to measure fine motor, gross motor, and weighted hand function using simulated activities of daily living (ADLs). Special equipment and a stopwatch are provided for the tests. Separate times are recorded for each task given for scoring purposes. It consists of seven timed subtests performed on both hands-starting with the non-dominant hand-to evaluate speed rather than movement quality, with higher times indicating lower function.

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

• Grip strength

  Dynamometer and pinchmeter will be used for gross and fine grip strength. The measurement will be repeated three times. A 15-second break will be given after each measurement. Finally, the average of the three measurements will be recorded.

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

• Hand function

  The Purdue Pegboard Test is a standardized, 5-10 minute assessment used to measure fine and gross motor dexterity of the hands, fingers, and arms. It requires individuals to place small metal pins, collars, and washers into holes on a vertical board using the right hand, left hand, and both hands simultaneously, commonly applied in rehabilitation and hiring for manual labor. The more pins that are installed within the specified time, the better the performance.

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Stroop test

  Just before the treatment begins and at the end of the 8th week

Study Arms (3)

Technological hand rehabilitation group

EXPERIMENTAL

they will take only technological hand rehabilitation

Other: Technological hand rehabilitation exercises

Dual task group

EXPERIMENTAL

They will take dual task and technological hand rehabilitation

Other: Dual task with technological hand exercises

Home exercise group

OTHER

They will do hand exercises at home

Other: Home exercises

Interventions

Technological hand rehabilitation exercises OTHER

Elderly individuals in this group will play the games mentioned above for 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week, for 8 weeks, using only their hands via a computer with an LMC device, under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The procedure will be the same as for the other group, as described above. The intervention will be carried out with ball games for the first 4 weeks, and helicopter and airplane games will be added in the following 4 weeks. The elderly individual will play these games with both their dominant and non-dominant hands. The playing time will be equal for both hands. The elderly individuals will be able to take as many breaks as they wish during the games. The number of repetitions of the games will be increased each week according to the elderly individual's progress.

Technological hand rehabilitation group

Home exercises OTHER

A rehabilitation program consisting of stretching and strengthening exercises will be applied to individuals under the guidance of a physiotherapist experienced in geriatric rehabilitation. The program will include hand flexion, extension, radial and ulnar deviation, and finger movements. Therabands and resistance bands will be used for strengthening. The number of repetitions of the exercises will be increased each week. The rehabilitation program will be applied for 45 minutes a day, 2 days a week, for 8 weeks.

Home exercise group

Dual task with technological hand exercises OTHER

Hand exercises will be conducted with the guidance of a physiotherapist using the Leap Motion Controller (LMC). These exercises will be performed twice a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 45 minutes. While the elderly are playing games on a computer using their hands via the LMC device, dual-task training will be provided by physiotherapists. The dual-task training will be implemented as follows: In the first week, while the elderly are performing hand exercises via the LMC, they will be given one verbal, one arithmetic, and one auditory task. In subsequent weeks, the number of verbal, arithmetic, and auditory tasks will be increased by one task each week. Thus, the training will be gradually made more challenging. In addition, the dual-task training can be individualized according to the elderly's initial cognitive level and progress. Technology-based hand exercises will be performed with games specific to the LMC.

Dual task group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• years of age and older
• Not receiving hand-related physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Ability to follow instructions,
• Scoring 24 points or more on the Mini Mental Test

You may not qualify if:

• Having a neuropsychiatric diagnosis
• Acute hand and arm injury
• Having a diagnosis of rheumatological and orthopedic diseases affecting the hand

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Akdeniz University

Antalya, Konyaaltı, 07070, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Arman N, Oktay AB, Tarakci D, Tarakci E, Akgul YS. The validity of an objective measurement method using the Leap Motion Controller for fingers wrist, and forearm ranges of motion. Hand Surg Rehabil. 2021 Sep;40(4):394-399. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2021.03.007. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

  PMID: 33781957 RESULT

Central Study Contacts

Sebahat Yaprak Cetin, Associate Professor

CONTACT

+905436338030; fzt.ycetin@gmail.com

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: PhD

Model Details: Randomized controlled study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2026
• First Posted: April 2, 2026
• Study Start: March 25, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 25, 2026
• Last Updated: April 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

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

Locations

TU (1)