Thumb Muscle Activation During First Dorsal Interosseous Exercise in Thumb Base Osteoarthritis

NCT07421089 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 60

Last updated 2026-02-19

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in muscle activation of the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) and the Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) between individuals with and without trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) of the thumb. The study also seeks to identify which exercises are most effective for activating these muscles, in order to inform rehabilitation strategies for patients.

The FDI has been defined as a key stabilizer of the thumb TMC joint. However, the literature reports various protocols for FDI activation and limited information on APL behavior during these exercises. OA TMC of the thumb can cause pain, decreased thumb strength, impaired hand function, and difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADLs). Appropriate rehabilitation is essential to maintain muscle function, limit joint degeneration, and improve hand performance; however, the exercises that optimally activate the FDI and APL muscles are not yet established.

Participants will perform a series of standardized exercises and functional tasks designed to activate the FDI and APL muscles. Exercises include FDI strengthening with elastic bands in different hand positions (palmar and ulnar support), as well as exercises with the thumb in greater abduction. Functional tasks simulating everyday activities (e.g., turning a key, picking up a coin, writing, squeezing a tube of toothpaste, and holding a glass of water) will also be performed. Muscle activity will be recorded using surface electromyography (sEMG) during all tasks.

Adults aged 40 years and older, both men and women, with TMC osteoarthritis and healthy controls without osteoarthritis will be invited to participate.

Researchers will measure the activation patterns of the FDI and APL muscles during the exercises and functional tasks. The study aims to identify exercises that optimally activate these muscles, providing evidence to guide the rehabilitation of patients with thumb base osteoarthritis.

Conditions

  • Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Malaga

    lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-01-28
Primary Completion
2026-05-31
Completion
2026-08-31

Countries

  • Spain

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07421089 on ClinicalTrials.gov