Diseases that have implications for the thumb impact its function, and consequently, people occupational performance. Carpometacarpal joint (CMC) thumb degeneration translates into osteoarthritis (OA). Joint congruence, ligament integrity and compression of the joint surfaces caused by muscle contraction have historically been considered the three basic pillars for carpus stability. In recent years, a new factor has been proposed to explain carpal stabilization mechanisms: proprioception. The dorsal ligament complex is the structure with the highest concentration of mechanoreceptors, especially Ruffini's corpuscles. This study aims to detect the effect of proprioceptive training on the functional recovery of people with CMC osteoarthritis in conservative treatments.
The carpometacarpal joint (CMC) of the thumb presents a paradoxical relationship between mobility and stability that confers it a high mechanical complexity, and it is continuously subjected to great efforts and repetitive movements during its use that lead to degenerative changes in susceptible individuals. The thumb CMC join degeneration results in osteoarthritis (OA). Joint congruence, ligament integrity, and compression of the articular surfaces caused by muscle contraction have historically been considered the three basic pillars for carpal stability. In recent years, a new factor has been proposed to explain carpal stabilization mechanisms: proprioception. All afferents originating from the thumb mechanoreceptors constitute thumb proprioception. The dorsal ligament complex is the structure with the highest concentration of mechanoreceptors, especially Ruffini's corpuscles. Classically, in conservative treatments, orthotic positioning is paramount. This study aims to detect the effect of proprioceptive training on the functional recovery of people with CMC osteoarthritis, from the comparison of a classic conservative orthotic treatment protocol vs. a conservative orthotic treatment protocol including exercises for proprioceptive training. A randomized clinical trial is proposed within a multicenter study involving the Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola, Argentina and the Centro Tecan. Clínica de la Mano, Spain. The patients will be randomized into a control group that will receive orthosis treatment; and an experimental group that will also receive a home proprioceptive exercise program. Pain will be evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale; functional capacity with the Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index Version Functional Subscale; Occupational Productivity Performance with the Canadian Measure of Occupational Performance; and proprioception with the Joint Position Sense Test. Follow up: at 30 days and at 90 days. 50 patients will participate.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
50
Exercises for recognition of thumb position and thumb force sense.
Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola
Córdoba, Argentina
RECRUITINGCentro TECAN Clinica de la Mano
Málaga, Spain
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITINGVisual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Visual Analogue Scale has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument for pain assessment which is used frequently for clinical and research purposes. It consists of a 10-cm line anchored at each end. The left-hand anchor reads 'no pain' score 0 and the right-hand anchor reads 'worst possible pain' score 10; the patients marked a line to represent their pain level.
Time frame: Change from baseline pain at 4 weeks.
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Visual Analogue Scale has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument for pain assessment which is used frequently for clinical and research purposes. It consists of a 10-cm line anchored at each end. The left-hand anchor reads 'no pain' score 0 and the right-hand anchor reads 'worst possible pain' score 10; the patients marked a line to represent their pain level.
Time frame: Change from 4 weeks pain at 12 weeks.
Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index version (AUSCAN)
To assess the affection of the hands in rheumatic diseases, with good discriminatory capacity The functional capacity assessment subscale will be used, which provides specific data on the subject's ability to open / close water taps; turn the door handles / knobs; buttoning up; fastening / unbuttoning jewelry; open a new bottle; load a full pot; peel fruits and vegetables; lift large and heavy objects; wring out wet clothes / sponges or rags. This functional subscale evaluates from 9 to 45, with 9 being "no difficulty" and 45 "extreme difficulty"
Time frame: Change from baseline hand function at 4 weeks.
Australian Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index version (AUSCAN)
To assess the affection of the hands in rheumatic diseases, with good discriminatory capacity The functional capacity assessment subscale will be used, which provides specific data on the subject's ability to open / close water taps; turn the door handles / knobs; buttoning up; fastening / unbuttoning jewelry; open a new bottle; load a full pot; peel fruits and vegetables; lift large and heavy objects; wring out wet clothes / sponges or rags. This functional subscale evaluates from 9 to 45, with 9 being "no difficulty" and 45 "extreme difficulty"
Time frame: Change from 4 weeks hand function at 12 weeks.
Joint position Sense (JPS)
Proprioception using active joint position sense (JPS) has been utilized in studies to establish a correlation between therapy intervention and proprioception. The target position of 30 degree CMC abduction will be selected. Joint angle will be measured using a standard clear plastic goniometer.
Time frame: baseline-4 and 12 weeks
Canadian Occupational Performance Measure
Patient's occupational performance will be measured with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The COPM enables subjects to identify goals for hand therapy and engage in a subject-specific therapeutic process. It has been established that the COPM has good convergent validity and responsiveness for evaluating the relationship between patient self-perception and satisfaction for patients with CMC thumb OA .
Time frame: baseline-4 and 12 weeks
Force Sense
Patient's sensation force will be measured with the Force Sense.
Time frame: baseline-4 and 12 weeks
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