The Effects of a Structured Hand Exercise Program on Trigger Finger: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Trigger Finger

• Registration Number: NCT06911762
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

To explore the effectiveness of a structured hand exercise program as a conservative treatment for trigger finger.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Study First Submitted: 2025-03-28
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-03-28
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-28
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-04
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-04
• Study Start: 2025-04-15
• Primary Completion: 2026-01-01
• Study Completion: 2026-08-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 76

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults with aged > 18 years old who are diagnosed with trigger finger
• The Green classification grade 2 or grade 3
• Pain (NPRS) equal or more than 4/10, during active triggering

Exclusion Criteria

• Pediatric or congenital trigger finger
• Previously received physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection or surgery for trigger finger
• Hand trauma, local infection or using systemic steroids due to other diseases

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during triggering or movement	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	NPRS consists of 11-point numeric scale from '0' (no pain) to '10' (worst pain imaginable). Participants rate the pain level based on their own pain intensity from 0-10

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Structural changes using musculoskeletal ultrasound (A1 pulley thickness, flexor tendon thicknesses, A1 pulley lumen size)	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	Musculoskeletal ultrasound with a linear transducer (12MHz probe) will be used to evaluate the structural outcome measures.
Trigger finger stage in the Green Classification	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	Green's classification for trigger finger: Grade 1 (A history of catching with local pain). Grade 2 (Demonstrable catching with normal active extension). Grade 3 (Demonstrable locking requiring passive extension). Grade 4 (Fixed flexion deformity)
Frequency of triggering	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	The frequency of triggering will be represented by the number of triggering events in ten active fists, from 0 to 10. Two questions will be asked: (1) What is the average number of triggering in ten active fists in the past one week? (2) What is the average number of painful triggering in ten active fists in the past one week?
Functional score by Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Hong Kong version)	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) is a shorten version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). QuickDASH consisted of 11 items to measure physical function and symptoms in patients with upper limb disorders. DASH and QuickDASH were translated into Hong Kong version. Participants must complete at least 10 of the 11 items for a score to be calculated and the scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).
Grip strength of the affected hand	Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline	Grip strength will be assessed using the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) protocol. Participants will be seated in a chair without arm rests, with hips and knees in 90 degrees. Shoulder holds in adduction and neutral rotation. Elbow holds in 90 degrees flexion with forearm in neutral rotation. Participants grip the dynamometer in 15-30 degrees wrist extension and 0-15 degrees of ulnar deviation. Participants will be asked to grip the dynamometer as hard as they can for 3 trials. The mean of the 3 trials will be recorded as the grip strength in kg.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong