de Quervain's TenosynovitisNCT07595419
Treatment of de Quervain's Tendinopathy With Eccentric Training Program
A study testing Eccentric training in people with de Quervain's Tenosynovitis, run by Dr. Lenti Katalin at 1 site in Hungary.
Trial summary
This completed clinical study evaluated whether a structured eccentric training program reduced pain and improved hand and wrist function in adults with medically diagnosed de Quervain's tendinopathy whose symptoms had persisted despite previous conservative treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- What is being tested?
- Eccentric training
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteHungary
- Study dates
- 7 Jan 2020to 24 Feb 2023
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
- Medical diagnosis of de Quervain's tendinopathy.
- Increased pain in the area of the radial styloid process.
- Positive stepped Finkelstein test.
- No pain radiating to the arm during the stepped Finkelstein test.
- History of at least one unsuccessful conservative treatment.
- No other treatment received during the eccentric training intervention.
Who cannot join
- Expected surgical intervention or concurrent alternative therapies.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Treatment of de Quervain's Tendinopathy With Eccentric Training Program [A de Quervain-féle tendinopátia kezelése Excentrikus tréninggel]
This completed clinical study evaluated whether a structured eccentric training program reduced pain and improved hand and wrist function in adults with medically diagnosed de Quervain's tendinopathy whose symptoms had persisted despite previous conservative treatment.
The main questions addressed were:
Read more
- Did eccentric training reduce pain intensity and the extent of pain distribution in participants with de Quervain's tendinopathy?
- Did eccentric training improve hand and wrist function in daily activities and work-related tasks? Participants received a structured eccentric exercise program for 8 weeks. After instruction by a physiotherapist, they performed the exercises at home 1 to 5 times daily, at least 5 days per week, and adherence was monitored during supervised visits. Participants also recorded exercise sessions in a calendar.
Assessments were conducted at baseline and at week 8 and included pain evaluation, pain-area mapping, and validated hand and wrist function questionnaires. For participants with insufficient adherence or incomplete recovery, the intervention period was extended to 12 weeks, with an additional assessment at week 12. Post-treatment follow-up was specified in the study protocol at weeks 10 and 12 and approximately 6 months after treatment initiation.
Read the detailed description
De Quervain's tendinopathy is a painful disorder of the first dorsal extensor compartment of the wrist that can impair thumb motion, grip-related activities, and overall hand function. The study was based on the rationale that de Quervain's tendinopathy is increasingly regarded as a degenerative rather than primarily inflammatory condition, and that eccentric loading may therefore represent a relevant conservative treatment approach. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a structured eccentric training program in adults with persistent de Quervain's tendinopathy after unsuccessful prior conservative management.
Eligible participants were adults with a medical diagnosis of de Quervain's tendinopathy who reported pain in the region of the radial styloid, had a positive stepped Finkelstein test, and did not report radiating arm pain during testing. Participants had a history of at least one unsuccessful conservative treatment before enrolment. Exclusion criteria included expected surgical intervention, concurrent alternative treatment during the exercise program, unclear diagnosis, inability to comply with the exercise instructions or follow-up schedule, participation in another similar study, and minor age.
This was a single-arm interventional study in which all enrolled participants received the same structured eccentric training program. After initial instruction, participants performed the exercise program at home for 8 weeks, with 1 to 5 sessions daily on at least 5 days per week. The protocol described progressive exercise stages across the intervention period, with more frequent supervision during the first 4 weeks and weekly supervision thereafter. Participants were also instructed to modify daily activities, reduce use of the painful hand, increase reliance on the unaffected side, when possible, incorporate rest periods during repetitive hand activity, and document exercise completion in a calendar.
Outcome assessment focused on pain and function. Data collection included pain intensity measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, upper-limb disability measured with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, wrist-specific pain and function measured with the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, and pain distribution recorded using predefined hand regions. The manuscript also described clinical evaluation of range of motion and muscle strength, while the research plan outlined baseline anamnesis, physical examination, and diagnostic confirmation procedures. Assessments were performed at baseline and at week 8, and for those whose program was prolonged, also at week 12.
According to the manuscript, some participants required extension of the intervention to 12 weeks because the expected improvement had not occurred by week 8 in the context of insufficient exercise regularity. The protocol further specified post-treatment follow-up contacts at weeks 10 and 12 and approximately 6 months after treatment initiation, with additional in-person reassessment if recurrent pain was reported. In this retrospective registry description, these follow-up procedures are described as protocol-specified elements in order to avoid overstating information not fully detailed in the manuscript results section.
- Conditions
- de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Being tested
- Eccentric training
- Keywords
- de Quervain's tenosynovitis, de Quervain disease, tendinopathy, eccentric training, physiotherapy, physical therapy modalities
- Medical subject headings
- De Quervain Disease, Tendinopathy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Eccentric trainingProcedure or surgery
Eccentric training consists of exercises in which the muscle contracts under load while lengthening, typically during the controlled lowering or deceleration phase of movement.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Eccentric training | Experimental | After learning the training, the patients performed a structured eccentric training program for eight weeks, with 1-5 daily sessions, and at least five times a week. Participants' adherence was controlled during the weekly meetings. In case of inconsistent adherence, patients who did not perform the exercises with sufficient regularity received the treatment for 12 weeks. Receives: Procedure: Eccentric training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in pain intensity measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0 to 10) based on the participant's reported strongest pain. Lower scores indicate less pain. This outcome evaluated change in pain severity after the eccentric training program.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in hand and upper-limb disability measured by QuickDASH Part 1
Change in hand and upper-limb disability measured by QuickDASH Part 1 Description: Hand and upper-limb disability in everyday activities was assessed using Part 1 of the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH). Lower scores indicate better function and less disability.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in work-related hand function measured by QuickDASH Work Module
Work-related hand function was assessed using the optional work module of the QuickDASH questionnaire. Lower scores indicate better work-related function and less disability. This outcome was assessed only in participants for whom the work module was applicable.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in wrist pain and function measured by Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE)
Wrist pain and wrist-related functional difficulty were assessed using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire. Lower scores indicate less pain and better wrist function. This outcome evaluated symptom and function change after eccentric training.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in number of painful regions around the thumb and wrist
Pain distribution was assessed by asking participants to mark painful areas on standardized hand diagrams showing dorsal, lateral, and palmar views of the hand. The thumb and surrounding region were divided into 14 predefined regions, and the number of painful regions was recorded. Lower values indicate a smaller extent of pain distribution.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in wrist and thumb range of motion
Range of motion of the wrist and thumb was evaluated during the physical examination to document clinical change over the course of treatment. The research plan describes angle-based examination of wrist and thumb movement, and the manuscript states that range of motion was evaluated before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in thumb muscle strength
Thumb muscle strength was evaluated during the clinical examination to assess functional improvement during treatment. The research plan specifies examination of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscle strength, and the manuscript reports that muscle strength was evaluated before and after treatment.
Measured: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 May 2026
- Study start7 Jan 2020
- Primary completion24 Feb 2023
- Study completion24 Feb 2023
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for de Quervain's TenosynovitisStudies 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
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dr. Lenti Katalin
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Semmelweis University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Dr. Lenti Katalin, Semmelweis University
- Investigators
- Katalin Lenti, PhD, Principal investigator, Semmelweis University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07595419
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 408-2/2018/EÜIG
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 19 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Treatment of de Quervain's Tendinopathy With Eccentric Training Program [A de Quervain-féle tendinopátia kezelése Excentrikus tréninggel]
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07595419
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 408-2/2018/EÜIG
- Conditions
- de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- Keywords
- de Quervain's tenosynovitis, de Quervain disease, tendinopathy, eccentric training, physiotherapy, physical therapy modalities
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Dr. Lenti KatalinUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Semmelweis University
- Study start
- 7 Jan 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 24 Feb 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 24 Feb 2023 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 May 2026 (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.
This completed clinical study evaluated whether a structured eccentric training program reduced pain and improved hand and wrist function in adults with medically diagnosed de Quervain's tendinopathy whose symptoms had persisted despite previous conservative treatment.
The main questions addressed were:
- Did eccentric training reduce pain intensity and the extent of pain distribution in participants with de Quervain's tendinopathy?
- Did eccentric training improve hand and wrist function in daily activities and work-related tasks? Participants received a structured eccentric exercise program for 8 weeks. After instruction by a physiotherapist, they performed the exercises at home 1 to 5 times daily, at least 5 days per week, and adherence was monitored during supervised visits. Participants also recorded exercise sessions in a calendar.
Assessments were conducted at baseline and at week 8 and included pain evaluation, pain-area mapping, and validated hand and wrist function questionnaires. For participants with insufficient adherence or incomplete recovery, the intervention period was extended to 12 weeks, with an additional assessment at week 12. Post-treatment follow-up was specified in the study protocol at weeks 10 and 12 and approximately 6 months after treatment initiation.
Detailed description
De Quervain's tendinopathy is a painful disorder of the first dorsal extensor compartment of the wrist that can impair thumb motion, grip-related activities, and overall hand function. The study was based on the rationale that de Quervain's tendinopathy is increasingly regarded as a degenerative rather than primarily inflammatory condition, and that eccentric loading may therefore represent a relevant conservative treatment approach. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a structured eccentric training program in adults with persistent de Quervain's tendinopathy after unsuccessful prior conservative management.
Eligible participants were adults with a medical diagnosis of de Quervain's tendinopathy who reported pain in the region of the radial styloid, had a positive stepped Finkelstein test, and did not report radiating arm pain during testing. Participants had a history of at least one unsuccessful conservative treatment before enrolment. Exclusion criteria included expected surgical intervention, concurrent alternative treatment during the exercise program, unclear diagnosis, inability to comply with the exercise instructions or follow-up schedule, participation in another similar study, and minor age.
This was a single-arm interventional study in which all enrolled participants received the same structured eccentric training program. After initial instruction, participants performed the exercise program at home for 8 weeks, with 1 to 5 sessions daily on at least 5 days per week. The protocol described progressive exercise stages across the intervention period, with more frequent supervision during the first 4 weeks and weekly supervision thereafter. Participants were also instructed to modify daily activities, reduce use of the painful hand, increase reliance on the unaffected side, when possible, incorporate rest periods during repetitive hand activity, and document exercise completion in a calendar.
Outcome assessment focused on pain and function. Data collection included pain intensity measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, upper-limb disability measured with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, wrist-specific pain and function measured with the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation, and pain distribution recorded using predefined hand regions. The manuscript also described clinical evaluation of range of motion and muscle strength, while the research plan outlined baseline anamnesis, physical examination, and diagnostic confirmation procedures. Assessments were performed at baseline and at week 8, and for those whose program was prolonged, also at week 12.
According to the manuscript, some participants required extension of the intervention to 12 weeks because the expected improvement had not occurred by week 8 in the context of insufficient exercise regularity. The protocol further specified post-treatment follow-up contacts at weeks 10 and 12 and approximately 6 months after treatment initiation, with additional in-person reassessment if recurrent pain was reported. In this retrospective registry description, these follow-up procedures are described as protocol-specified elements in order to avoid overstating information not fully detailed in the manuscript results section.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Eccentric training | Experimental | Procedure: Eccentric trainingAfter learning the training, the patients performed a structured eccentric training program for eight weeks, with 1-5 daily sessions, and at least five times a week. Participants' adherence was controlled during the weekly meetings. In case of inconsistent adherence, patients who did not perform the exercises with sufficient regularity received the treatment for 12 weeks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
- Medical diagnosis of de Quervain's tendinopathy.
- Increased pain in the area of the radial styloid process.
- Positive stepped Finkelstein test.
- No pain radiating to the arm during the stepped Finkelstein test.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Expected surgical intervention or concurrent alternative therapies.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Eccentric trainingEccentric training consists of exercises in which the muscle contracts under load while lengthening, typically during the controlled lowering or deceleration phase of movement. | Procedure or surgery | Eccentric training |
Primary outcome
Change in pain intensity measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0 to 10) based on the participant's reported strongest pain. Lower scores indicate less pain. This outcome evaluated change in pain severity after the eccentric training program.
Change in hand and upper-limb disability measured by QuickDASH Part 1
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in hand and upper-limb disability measured by QuickDASH Part 1 Description: Hand and upper-limb disability in everyday activities was assessed using Part 1 of the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH). Lower scores indicate better function and less disability.
Change in work-related hand function measured by QuickDASH Work Module
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Work-related hand function was assessed using the optional work module of the QuickDASH questionnaire. Lower scores indicate better work-related function and less disability. This outcome was assessed only in participants for whom the work module was applicable.
Change in wrist pain and function measured by Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Wrist pain and wrist-related functional difficulty were assessed using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire. Lower scores indicate less pain and better wrist function. This outcome evaluated symptom and function change after eccentric training.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in number of painful regions around the thumb and wrist
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in wrist and thumb range of motion
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
Change in thumb muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.
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 19 May 2026.
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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.
Katalin Lenti, PhD principal investigator
Semmelweis University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Eccentric training in people with de Quervain's Tenosynovitis, run by Dr. Lenti Katalin at 1 site in Hungary.
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 7 inclusion and 1 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 19 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 Hungary. 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?
Change in pain intensity measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (time frame: Baseline (Week 1) and Week 8; additionally at Week 12 for participants whose treatment was extended.). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. 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 19 May 2026.