DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SMART-HAND PROTOCOL FOR HAND REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Starting soon · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Prevention
In brief
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently affects the hand and wrist, resulting in pain, reduced joint stability, impaired proprioception, muscle weakness, and limitations in daily activities. Although conventional rehabilitation primarily focuses on range of motion and strengthening exercises, sensorimotor impairments such as proprioceptive deficits are often underaddressed. The SMART-HAND (Sensory, Massage, Approximation, ROM, Training = Strengthening + Perturbation) protocol was developed as a structured, mechanism-based rehabilitation program to improve proprioception, joint stability, motor control, and hand function. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the SMART-HAND protocol in individuals with RA by comparing its effects on hand function, proprioception, pain, dexterity, muscle strength, and functional performance with conventional rehabilitation and a control group.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT07754552
- Run by
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- People needed
- 132
- Starts
- 2026-10-01
- Expected to finish
- 2027-12-30
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-08-10
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Participants will consist of individuals aged 18 years and older who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at least five years prior to enrollment and referred by a rheumatologist. Eligible participants must have been on a stable medication regimen for the past three months, have no history of diabetes or other conditions affecting sensory function, and provide informed consent to participate.
You may not qualify if…
- Individuals who have undergone hand surgery within the past six months, have a history of upper extremity fracture within the last six months, or have other pain conditions involving muscles and/or joints will be excluded. Additionally, individuals diagnosed with a neurological disease that may affect sensory or motor function, those unable to fully cooperate with the assessment procedures, those who have received corticosteroid treatment within the past month, those diagnosed with another rheumatic disease, pregnant women, and individuals who are illiterate will not be included in the study.
- Furthermore, participants who miss more than 10% of the intervention sessions or who change their medication dosage or class during the study period will be excluded. Participants will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time for any reason.
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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