The purpose of this study is to learn if adding specific "nerve gliding" exercises to a standard physical therapy program helps reduce pain and improve hand function in people with ulnar-sided (pinky side) wrist pain. Participants who have had wrist pain for at least 3 months will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will receive a standard treatment program that includes patient education, activity modification, massage, and ice application. One group will also perform specific nerve gliding exercises for the ulnar nerve. Researchers will evaulate pain level, hand function, strength, weight-bearing tolerance, and joint position sense at the beginning and after 4 weeks of treatment to see if the exercises provide extra benefit. The study treatment period lasts for 4 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
34
Ulnar nerve gliding exercises will be performed twice a week in the clinic for 4 weeks. Participants will also perform these exercises as a home program 3 times daily.
Includes patient education, activity modification, classic massage along the ulnar nerve trace, and ice application (10-12 minutes) at the end of each session.
Gazi University Health Sciences Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGPain Level
Pain level will be evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain at rest, during activity, and at night.
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks
Wrist Function
Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire (0-100 scale, higher scores indicate greater disability)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks.
Grip Strength
Measured with a Jamar hydraulic hand dynamometer in kg (average of 3 trials)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Wrist Strength
Wrist flexion and extension strength will be measured with handheld dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Weight Bearing Tolerance
Measured in kg using an analog scale where participants apply maximum force with the wrist.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Joint Position Sense
Measured as degrees of deviation from a 30° target position using a goniometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks.
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