Trigger FingerNCT06911762
The Effects of a Structured Hand Exercise Program on Trigger Finger: A Randomized Controlled Trial
A study testing Exercise in people with Trigger Finger, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
Trial summary
To explore the effectiveness of a structured hand exercise program as a conservative treatment for trigger finger. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Trigger Finger
- What is being tested?
- Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 76 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHong Kong
- Study dates
- 15 Apr 2025to 1 Aug 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults with aged > 18 years old who are diagnosed with trigger finger
- The Green classification grade 2 or grade 3
- Pain (NPRS) equal or more than 4/10, during active triggering
Who cannot join
- Pediatric or congenital trigger finger
- Previously received physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection or surgery for trigger finger
- Hand trauma, local infection or using systemic steroids due to other diseases
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Hong Kong1 site
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong
Chi Hong Chung, +852 2766-7091, kenneth.ch.chung@polyu.edu.hk
About this study
To explore the effectiveness of a structured hand exercise program as a conservative treatment for trigger finger.
- Conditions
- Trigger Finger
- Being tested
- Exercise
- Keywords
- Trigger finger, tenosynovitis, physiotherapy, conservative treatment, Exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Trigger Finger Disorder, Tenosynovitis, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will receive a 6-week structured hand exercise program. Participants will attend a face-to-face exercise session to learn all hand exercises. The exercise program will include: (1) Finger flexor stretching, (2) Tendon gliding exercise and (3) Isometric finger flexor exercise. A weekly tele follow-up will be done to participants in the experimental group
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Exercise |
| Control | No intervention | Participants will receive no intervention. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during triggering or movement
NPRS consists of 11-point numeric scale from '0' (no pain) to '10' (worst pain imaginable). Participants rate the pain level based on their own pain intensity from 0-10
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Secondary outcomes (5)
Trigger finger stage in the Green Classification
Green's classification for trigger finger: Grade 1 (A history of catching with local pain). Grade 2 (Demonstrable catching with normal active extension). Grade 3 (Demonstrable locking requiring passive extension). Grade 4 (Fixed flexion deformity)
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Frequency of triggering
The frequency of triggering will be represented by the number of triggering events in ten active fists, from 0 to 10. Two questions will be asked: (1) What is the average number of triggering in ten active fists in the past one week? (2) What is the average number of painful triggering in ten active fists in the past one week?
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Functional score by Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Hong Kong version)
Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) is a shorten version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). QuickDASH consisted of 11 items to measure physical function and symptoms in patients with upper limb disorders. DASH and QuickDASH were translated into Hong Kong version. Participants must complete at least 10 of the 11 items for a score to be calculated and the scores range from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Grip strength of the affected hand
Grip strength will be assessed using the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) protocol. Participants will be seated in a chair without arm rests, with hips and knees in 90 degrees. Shoulder holds in adduction and neutral rotation. Elbow holds in 90 degrees flexion with forearm in neutral rotation. Participants grip the dynamometer in 15-30 degrees wrist extension and 0-15 degrees of ulnar deviation. Participants will be asked to grip the dynamometer as hard as they can for 3 trials. The mean of the 3 trials will be recorded as the grip strength in kg.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Structural changes using musculoskeletal ultrasound (A1 pulley thickness, flexor tendon thicknesses, A1 pulley lumen size)
Musculoskeletal ultrasound with a linear transducer (12MHz probe) will be used to evaluate the structural outcome measures.
Measured: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Apr 2025
- Study start15 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Trigger FingerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 76 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Freddy Man Hin LAM, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06911762
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSEARS20241227004
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 28 Mar 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: The study data can be provided via contacting the Principal Investigator
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of a Structured Hand Exercise Program on Trigger Finger: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06911762
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSEARS20241227004
- Conditions
- Trigger Finger
- Keywords
- Trigger finger, tenosynovitis, physiotherapy, conservative treatment, Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 76 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Apr 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Apr 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.
To explore the effectiveness of a structured hand exercise program as a conservative treatment for trigger finger.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Experimental | Behavioral: Exercise |
| Control | No intervention | –Participants will receive no intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Adults with aged > 18 years old who are diagnosed with trigger finger
- The Green classification grade 2 or grade 3
- Pain (NPRS) equal or more than 4/10, during active triggering
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Pediatric or congenital trigger finger
- Previously received physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection or surgery for trigger finger
- Hand trauma, local infection or using systemic steroids due to other diseases
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ExerciseParticipants will receive a 6-week structured hand exercise program. Participants will attend a face-to-face exercise session to learn all hand exercises. The exercise program will include: (1) Finger flexor stretching, (2) Tendon gliding exercise and (3) Isometric finger flexor exercise. A weekly tele follow-up will be done to participants in the experimental group | Behavioural | Exercise |
Primary outcome
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during triggering or movement
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
NPRS consists of 11-point numeric scale from '0' (no pain) to '10' (worst pain imaginable). Participants rate the pain level based on their own pain intensity from 0-10
5 secondary outcomes
Trigger finger stage in the Green Classification
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Frequency of triggering
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Functional score by Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (Hong Kong version)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Grip strength of the affected hand
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Structural changes using musculoskeletal ultrasound (A1 pulley thickness, flexor tendon thicknesses, A1 pulley lumen size)
Time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. The study data can be provided via contacting the Principal Investigator
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise in people with Trigger Finger, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University at 1 site in Hong Kong.
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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Apr 2025. 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 Hong Kong. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Freddy Man Hin LAM, PhD (+852 2766-6720, freddy-mh.lam@polyu.edu.hk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) during triggering or movement (time frame: Baseline, 6 weeks after baseline, 10 weeks after baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 4 Apr 2025.