Stabilization Exercises for Young Adults With Habitual Knuckle Cracking

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07815717

Borna Farhoomand42 enrolled

Overview

Habitual knuckle cracking is a widespread behavior caused by intra-articular pressure changes and gas release in synovial joints; however, its long-term effects on hand sensorimotor function, joint laxity, and overall biomechanics remain debated, with no structured clinical exercise interventions currently established. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week targeted stabilization exercise program focusing on the radiocarpal, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in young adults aged 18 to 30 years with habitual knuckle cracking. Participants are randomly allocated to either an intervention group receiving twice-weekly stabilization training (8 total sessions) or an un-exercised control group. The study hypothesizes that structured joint stabilization exercises will significantly improve wrist and finger joint position sense (proprioception), enhance upper extremity functional performance, and reduce joint laxity compared to the control group.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Habitual Knuckle Cracking

Interventions

A 4-week supervised hand and wrist stabilization exercise program conducted 2 times per week (8 total sessions, 30-45 minutes per session). The protocol targets the radiocarpal (wrist), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. Exercises focus on enhancing joint position sense (proprioception), motor control, isometric and dynamic stabilization, and balanced muscle co-activation around the digits and wrist complex. Progression is individualized based on participant tolerance, maintaining movements within non-painful ranges to prevent joint strain. All sessions are supervised by a physical therapist.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 30 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 30 years, * Voluntary agreement to participate and signing the Informed Consent Form following detailed study briefing, * Willingness to attend all assessment and intervention sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * Having an occupation that requires intensive or repetitive use of the upper extremities and fingers, * History of prior musculoskeletal injury involving the upper extremity or hand, * Presence of physical or sensory impairments (such as visual or auditory deficits) that could interfere with study procedures, * History of congenital or acquired orthopedic, neurological, or rheumatological conditions affecting hand or wrist range of motion and function, * History of hand or wrist trauma requiring medical, conservative, or surgical management within the past 6 months, * Presence of active skin lesions in the intervention region, including burns, cellulitis, vesicles, bullae, psoriasis, open or closed wounds, scar tissue, active infection, or malignancy, * Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥30 or a history of morbid obesity.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Joint Position Sense (JPS) Absolute Error at 4 Weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

Change from Baseline in Joint Laxity

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Change from Baseline in Upper Extremity Functional Performance using the QuickDASH questionnaire

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

Change from Baseline in Pain Intensity on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

Stabilization Exercises for Young Adults With Habitual Knuckle Cracking

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts