Nerve gliding exercises for ulnar (pinky-side) wrist pain

Investigation of the Effects of Nerve Gliding Exercises on Pain, Function, Joint Position Sense and Weight-Bearing Tolerance in Patients With Ulnar-Sided Wrist Pain

This test sees if adding ulnar nerve-gliding exercises to standard physical therapy helps adults with chronic ulnar-sided (pinky-side) wrist pain reduce pain and improve hand function.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 34 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Gazi University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Ankara)
• Trial ID: NCT07358507 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with ulnar-sided wrist pain lasting at least three months are randomly assigned to two groups; both receive a standard physical therapy program (education, activity modification, massage, and ice) while one group also performs specific ulnar nerve-gliding exercises. Pain, hand function, strength, weight-bearing tolerance, and joint position sense are measured at baseline and after four weeks of treatment. The four-week intervention period compares outcomes between groups to determine whether the nerve-gliding exercises provide additional benefit. Participants must meet cognitive screening and other inclusion/exclusion criteria for safety and clear interpretation of results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (age ≥18) with a hand-surgeon–confirmed diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain lasting at least three months and adequate cognition (MoCA ≥22) are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients with other concurrent hand/wrist diseases (for example, carpal tunnel syndrome or Dupuytren's), traumatic injury within the past three months, or recent surgery are unlikely to benefit from these specific exercises.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If effective, adding nerve-gliding exercises could reduce pain and improve hand strength and function more than standard physical therapy alone.

How similar studies have performed: Nerve-gliding techniques have shown benefit for some peripheral nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, but evidence specifically for ulnar-sided wrist pain is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Being over 18 years of age.
* History of ulnar-sided wrist pain lasting for at least 3 months.
* Diagnosis of ulnar-sided wrist pain confirmed by a hand surgeon, which may include: fractures or dislocations of the 4th and 5th metacarpals, hamate, triquetrum, lunate, pisiform, distal ulna, or distal radius; Lunotriquetral ligament tears; Kienböck's disease; Ulnar impaction syndrome; Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) injury; carpal instabilities; DRUJ instability; pisotriquetral arthritis; DRUJ arthritis; extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendon subluxation; or tendinitis of the ECU, extensor digiti minimi, and flexor carpi ulnaris.
* Adequate cognitive level (scoring 22 or above on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of other diseases involving the hand and wrist (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren's disease).
* History of traumatic injury to the hand, wrist, and/or forearm within the last 3 months.
* History of surgery on the hand, wrist, and/or forearm within the last 6 months.
* Currently receiving treatment for hand and wrist problems.

Where this trial is running

Ankara

• Gazi University Health Sciences Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Ceren Zorluogullari

Conditions: Ulnar Wrist Pain