Thumb position sense in base-of-thumb (trapeziometacarpal) osteoarthritis
Investigation of Thumb Proprioception in Trapeziometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis
It tests whether people with base-of-thumb (trapeziometacarpal) osteoarthritis sense their thumb's position and movement differently than people without the condition.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 25 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07447323 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cross-sectional case-control study compares thumb proprioception in people with trapeziometacarpal (TMC) osteoarthritis and matched healthy controls. Participants aged 25–75 undergo joint position sense testing at the TMC, MCP, and IP joints and pinch aperture proprioception measurements, alongside hand strength, sensory tests, and questionnaires about pain and emotional status. TMC OA severity is classified by Eaton-Littler radiographic stages I–IV and relationships between proprioception and demographic, motor, sensory, and emotional factors are analyzed. All assessments are performed in person and no treatment is provided.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults 25–75 years old with radiographically confirmed Eaton-Littler stage I–IV TMC osteoarthritis, symptoms for ≥6 months, average pain ≥4/10 during daily activities, ability to actively abduct the thumb ≥40°, and adequate cognition.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot abduct the thumb ≥40° due to severe deformity, those with recent hand/wrist surgery or acute trauma, or those with significant cognitive impairment are unlikely to qualify or benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If altered proprioception is identified, results could inform targeted rehabilitation to improve thumb function and reduce disability.
How similar studies have performed: Altered proprioception has been reported in osteoarthritis of other joints, but thumb-specific proprioception research is limited, so this application is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria (TMC OA group): * Voluntary participation * Radiographic Eaton-Littler stage I-IV confirmed by an orthopedic specialist * Symptom duration ≥6 months * Age 25-75 years * Pain intensity ≥4/10 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) during daily activities at assessment * Ability to actively perform ≥40° palmar abduction * Adequate cognitive capacity to understand and perform study procedures (for participants aged ≥65 years: Montreal Cognitive Assessment \[MoCA\] score ≥21) Inclusion Criteria (Control group): * Voluntary participation * No thumb pain * Age 25-75 years * No clinical signs of TMC OA * Negative provocation tests * Adequate cognitive capacity to understand and perform study procedures (for participants aged ≥65 years: MoCA score ≥21) Exclusion Criteria (TMC OA group): * Inability to abduct the thumb beyond 40° due to severe pain/deformity (especially advanced stage III-IV) * Acute trauma or prior surgery of the hand/wrist * Conservative treatment for hand/thumb pain in the same extremity within the previous 6 months * Current use of anti-inflammatory medication * Peripheral nerve disorders affecting proprioception (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, dorsal radial nerve irritation, cervical radiculopathy, double crush syndrome) * Concomitant upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., trigger finger, De Quervain's disease) * Generalized joint hypermobility (Beighton score ≥4) * Neuromuscular, systemic peripheral neuropathic, autoimmune, rheumatic, or infectious diseases * Active malignancy * Neurological conditions affecting pain perception * Visual impairment * Pregnancy Exclusion Criteria (Control group): -Exclusion criteria identical to the TMC OA group
Where this trial is running
Ankara, Ankara
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Çiğdem Ayhan Kuru, PT, PhD — Faculty of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Department of Orthopedic Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
- Study coordinator: Merve Sümeyye Yılmaz, PT
- Email: mervesumeyyeyilmaz@icloud.com
- Phone: +90 507 843 82 69
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.