Effects of Motor and Sensory Exercises on Hand Functions

Atlas University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Motor Function; Retardation

Treatments: Behavioral: Motor Exercise Program; Behavioral: Sensory Exercise Group; Behavioral: Combined Motor and Sensory Exercise Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06679361

2024-ATLAS-MSEHF-001

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project will compare the effectiveness of sensory and motor exercises used in clinical settings for healthy young adults. This approach will allow the investigators to evaluate the impact of these exercises on hand functions.

The study plans to include 80 healthy young adults aged 18-25. After providing participants with information about the study's purpose, written informed consent will be obtained to confirm voluntary participation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: "sensory exercise," "motor exercise," and "sensory and motor exercise." The effects on muscle reaction time and hand skills for the dominant hands will be evaluated before and after the exercises.

Full description

Hand functions occupy a significant place in the functional activities of daily life. Therefore, impairments in wrist function can severely impact daily activities and quality of life. Hand rehabilitation includes various methods aimed at improving hand functions for treating numerous conditions affecting the wrist. However, it has been determined that treatments targeting both motor and sensory functions should be used together to enhance functionality. For this purpose, this project will compare the effectiveness of sensory and motor exercises used in clinical settings in healthy young adults, allowing investigators to evaluate their impact on hand functions.

The study will include 80 healthy young adults aged 18-25. After participants are informed about the study's purpose, written informed consent will be obtained to confirm voluntary participation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: "sensory exercise," "motor exercise," and "sensory and motor exercise." The effects on muscle reaction time and hand skills for the dominant hand will be evaluated before and after the exercises. Data from the study will be analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Demographic characteristics of participants will be expressed as arithmetic mean ± standard deviation and percentages. The normal distribution of data will be examined using visual (histogram and probability plots) and analytical methods (Kolmogorov-Smirnov/Shapiro-Wilk tests). Pre- and post-evaluations within groups will be assessed using the student-t test, and intergroup comparisons will be evaluated with the student-t test if data follows a normal distribution, or with the Mann-Whitney U test if not. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

Enrollment: 80 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Having the ability to verbally communicate to answer questions
• Willingness to participate in the study
• Having read and signed the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

• Having joint movement restriction in the upper extremity
• Presence of skin injury or scarring on the hand or wrist
• History of surgery on the upper extremity
• Having an orthopedic problem in the upper extremity
• Having a rheumatic disease
• Having a neurological condition in the upper extremity
• Having a severe mental or cognitive impairment

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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80 participants in 4 patient groups

Motor Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive motor exercises targeting the wrist, including active range of motion exercises (flexion, extension, ulnar, radial deviation, and finger flexion) and nerve mobilization exercises (medial, radial, and ulnar nerves). These exercises aim to improve motor function in the wrist and hand.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Motor Exercise Program

Sensory Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

This group will engage in sensory exercises designed to enhance sensory awareness in the hand and wrist. Exercises will include interaction with varied textures (such as sand and sensory balls), different fabrics (fur, satin, linen), and multisensory foam gels. The goal is to improve sensory function and tactile discrimination.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Sensory Exercise Group

Behavioral: Motor Exercise Program

Combined Motor and Sensory Exercise Group

Experimental group

Description:

Arm Description: Participants in this group will perform both motor and sensory exercises as described for the first two groups. By combining motor and sensory interventions, this group aims to improve both motor skills and sensory awareness in the wrist and hand, potentially enhancing overall hand function more effectively.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Combined Motor and Sensory Exercise Group

control

No Intervention group

Description:

The control group did not receive any additional treatments during the study period, allowing for a clear comparison between the experimental group and the baseline conditions.