Rheumatoid ArthritisNCT06767618
Investigation of Upper Extremity Functions in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
An observational study of Rheumatoid Arthritis, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
There are limited studies in the literature evaluating upper extremity functional exercise capacity, muscle functions and daily living activities in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- How many people
- 26 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Mar 2025to 25 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Rheumatoid arthritis patients between the ages of 18-75 who are clinically in remission and are being followed up at the Kirsehir Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department polyclinic will be included in the study.
Who may be able to join
- Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis,
- Between the ages of 18-75 years,
- Patients who volunteer to participate in the study will be included in the study.
Who cannot join
- Those with serious cardiopulmonary, neurological, neuromuscular, orthopedic and other systemic diseases or other diseases affecting physical functions,
- Those who have participated in a planned exercise program in the last three months
- Those with cognitive impairment that will cause difficulty in understanding and following exercise test instructions
- Patients with contraindications for exercise testing or exercise training according to the American Sports Medicine Association will not be included in the study.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, Cardiopulmonary Unit
Kırşehir, Merkez, 40100
About this study
Official title: Investigation of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity, Hand Grip Strength and Daily Living Activities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
There are limited studies in the literature evaluating upper extremity functional exercise capacity, muscle functions and daily living activities in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate upper extremity exercise capacity, hand grip strength and daily living activities in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Read the detailed description
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune chronic and systemic disease of unknown etiology. In addition to musculoskeletal involvement, lung involvement can also be observed in patients. Lung involvement and accompanying symptoms cause deterioration of physical function, quality of life and functional capacity. In rheumatoid arthritis, dyspnea can be observed during exertion due to disease progression, drug toxicity and respiratory/cardiovascular morbidities. In patients, decreased respiratory muscle strength, respiratory functions, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity and oxygen consumption also cause decreased physical functions. It has been reported that upper extremity exercise capacity and functional performance are reduced in patients with interstitial lung disease. It is known that peripheral muscle strength is an independent determinant of exercise capacity in interstitial lung disease. Rheumatoid cachexia, characterized by decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass, is observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Since the patients' accessory respiratory muscles are also affected, it can negatively affect their daily life activities, especially those that use the upper extremities.
- Conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Keywords
- exercise capacity, upper extremity, hand-grip strength
- Medical subject headings
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis group | Rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission between the ages of 18-75, who are followed up in the Kirsehir Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department outpatient clinic, will be included in the study. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Evaluation of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity
The six minute peg board and ring test will be used to assess upper extremity exercise capacity.
Measured: First day and second day
Glittre Activities of Daily Living
The Glittre activities of Daily Living test will be used to evaluate the daily living activities of individuals.
Measured: Second day
Secondary outcomes (3)
Hand-grip strength
Hand-grip strength will be assessed using a hand dynamometer.
Measured: First day
Evaluation of upper extremity functional status
The Arm, Shoulder and Hand Disabilities Questionnaire (DASH) will be used to evaluate the upper extremity functional status of individuals. The DASH evaluates the functional status of the upper extremity subjectively according to the Likert scale. It consists of 3 sections. The questionnaire scores between 0 (no disability) and 100 (severe disability).
Measured: First day
Evaluation of arm and shoulder muscle strength and endurance
The Thirty-Second Push-Up Test will be used to evaluate arm and shoulder muscle strength and endurance.
Measured: Second day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Jan 2025
- Study start25 Mar 2025
- Primary completion25 Jan 2026
- Study completion25 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Rheumatoid ArthritisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Başak KAVALCI KOL, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
- Investigators
- Başak KAVALCI KOL, Dr., Study chair, Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06767618
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AhiEvranU525
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 6 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will be stored in a locked cabinet.
Publications
Palugan MJA, Assis ACB, Bessa EJC, Ferreira AS, Lopes AJ. Predictors of functional capacity as measured by the Glittre activities of daily living test in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2021 Mar 15;54(5):e10040. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X202010040. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 33729387Higgins SC, Adams J, Hughes R. Measuring hand grip strength in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2018 May;38(5):707-714. doi: 10.1007/s00296-018-4024-2. Epub 2018 Apr 6.
PubMed 29626222
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity, Hand Grip Strength and Daily Living Activities in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06767618
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AhiEvranU525
- Conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Keywords
- exercise capacity, upper extremity, hand-grip strength
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 26 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Kirsehir Ahi Evran UniversitesiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 25 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 10 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
There are limited studies in the literature evaluating upper extremity functional exercise capacity, muscle functions and daily living activities in rheumatoid arthritis patients. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate upper extremity exercise capacity, hand grip strength and daily living activities in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Detailed description
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune chronic and systemic disease of unknown etiology. In addition to musculoskeletal involvement, lung involvement can also be observed in patients. Lung involvement and accompanying symptoms cause deterioration of physical function, quality of life and functional capacity. In rheumatoid arthritis, dyspnea can be observed during exertion due to disease progression, drug toxicity and respiratory/cardiovascular morbidities. In patients, decreased respiratory muscle strength, respiratory functions, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity and oxygen consumption also cause decreased physical functions. It has been reported that upper extremity exercise capacity and functional performance are reduced in patients with interstitial lung disease. It is known that peripheral muscle strength is an independent determinant of exercise capacity in interstitial lung disease. Rheumatoid cachexia, characterized by decreased muscle mass and increased fat mass, is observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Since the patients' accessory respiratory muscles are also affected, it can negatively affect their daily life activities, especially those that use the upper extremities.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid arthritis group | – | –Rheumatoid arthritis patients in clinical remission between the ages of 18-75, who are followed up in the Kirsehir Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department outpatient clinic, will be included in the study. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Rheumatoid arthritis patients between the ages of 18-75 who are clinically in remission and are being followed up at the Kirsehir Ahi Evran University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department polyclinic will be included in the study.
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis,
- Between the ages of 18-75 years,
- Patients who volunteer to participate in the study will be included in the study.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Those with serious cardiopulmonary, neurological, neuromuscular, orthopedic and other systemic diseases or other diseases affecting physical functions,
- Those who have participated in a planned exercise program in the last three months
- Those with cognitive impairment that will cause difficulty in understanding and following exercise test instructions
- Patients with contraindications for exercise testing or exercise training according to the American Sports Medicine Association will not be included in the study.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Evaluation of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity
Time frame: First day and second day
The six minute peg board and ring test will be used to assess upper extremity exercise capacity.
Glittre Activities of Daily Living
Time frame: Second day
The Glittre activities of Daily Living test will be used to evaluate the daily living activities of individuals.
3 secondary outcomes
Hand-grip strength
Time frame: First day
Evaluation of upper extremity functional status
Time frame: First day
Evaluation of arm and shoulder muscle strength and endurance
Time frame: Second day
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 33729387Palugan MJA, Assis ACB, Bessa EJC, Ferreira AS, Lopes AJ. Predictors of functional capacity as measured by the Glittre activities of daily living test in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2021 Mar 15;54(5):e10040. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X202010040. eCollection 2021.
- Background: PubMed 29626222Higgins SC, Adams J, Hughes R. Measuring hand grip strength in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatol Int. 2018 May;38(5):707-714. doi: 10.1007/s00296-018-4024-2. Epub 2018 Apr 6.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will be stored in a locked cabinet.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Başak KAVALCI KOL, Dr. study chair
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Rheumatoid Arthritis, run by Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Evaluation of Upper Extremity Exercise Capacity (time frame: First day and second day). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06767618, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 May 2026.