Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Stabilization Exercises for Young Adults With Habitual Knuckle Cracking

ConditionHabitual Knuckle Cracking
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-30
SponsorBorna Farhoomand

About this trial

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.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

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.

Disqualifiers

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,

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Stabilization Exercise Program

    Other intervention

    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.

Treatment groups

42 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Stabilization Exercise GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Non-Exercise Control GroupNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

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

Time frame
Baseline and 4 weeks
2

Change from Baseline in Joint Laxity

Time frame
Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary outcomes

1

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

Time frame
Baseline and 4 weeks
2

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

Time frame
Baseline and 4 weeks

Other outcomes

Locations

This trial has no locations.

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Borna Farhoomand

Lead sponsor

Pamukkale University

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: