Handedness and Upper Extremity FunctionNCT07699068
Comparison of Upper Extremity Functions of Physiotherapy Students
An observational study of Handedness and Upper Extremity Function, run by Özge Mine Yilmaz.
Trial summary
The purpose of this cross-sectional, comparative study is to comprehensively evaluate and compare upper extremity functions among physiotherapy students with different hand preferences. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Handedness and Upper Extremity Function
- How many people
- 42 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2026to 5 Sep 2026
- How long will I take part?
- 1 Day
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: The study population consists of undergraduate students studying in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, who are healthy volunteers and stratified into groups based on their hand preferences (right-handed vs. left-handed).
Who may be able to join
- Being a student currently enrolled in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
- Being aged 18 years or older.
- Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Having a history of orthopedic surgery, severe trauma, or structural deformity in the upper extremities.
- Diagnosis of any neurological, rheumatological, or systemic disease that permanently affects upper extremity motor functions or muscle strength.
- Presence of acute pain, injury, or active inflammatory conditions in the dominant or non-dominant upper extremity within the last 3 months.
- Sensory deficits or uncorrected visual impairments that prevent understanding or performing the functional tests.
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Upper Extremity Functions of Physiotherapy Students With Different Hand Preferences
The purpose of this cross-sectional, comparative study is to comprehensively evaluate and compare upper extremity functions among physiotherapy students with different hand preferences. Handedness is a fundamental neuromotor characteristic that significantly influences upper extremity functions, including muscle strength, motor skills, coordination, and movement speed. These differences in motor performance can have prominent implications in professional fields like physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which demand a high level of manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and precise motor control during clinical applications.
While previous literature has predominantly focused on isolated measures such as grip strength, multi-dimensional studies that concurrently evaluate hand preference, objective motor performance, strength, and self-reported functional status remain limited. This study aims to fill this gap by determining whether significant differences exist in strength, performance, and functional levels between right-handed and left-handed individuals within a specialized student population.
A total of 42 physiotherapy and rehabilitation students aged 18 and older will be recruited through convenient sampling. Hand preference and lateralization will be objectively determined using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, categorizing participants based on their Laterality Quotient (LQ). Upper extremity functional levels, manual dexterity, and strength will be thoroughly evaluated. Self-reported upper extremity disability will be measured using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Performance-based manual dexterity and functional capacity will be objectively assessed using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, which measures the time taken to complete seven simulated activities of daily living. Gross grip strength will be measured with a Jamar hand dynamometer, and fine pinch strength will be quantified using a pinchmeter. All assessments will be performed under standardized environmental conditions with dedicated, trained assessors to ensure high measurement reliability. The outcomes will provide critical insights into neuromotor control strategies and potential ergonomic adjustments needed for left-handed students during their clinical training.
- Conditions
- Handedness and Upper Extremity Function
- Keywords
- Hand Preference, Manual Dexterity, Grip Strength, Physiotherapy Students
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Right-handed Physiotherapy Students | Not described | |
| Left-handed Physiotherapy Students | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Manual Dexterity and Hand Function
Assessed using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), which consists of seven subtests simulating daily activities (writing, card turning, picking up small objects, stacking checkers, simulated eating, moving light objects, and moving heavy objects). The completion time for each subtest is recorded in seconds, with shorter times indicating better functional performance.
Measured: At baseline (single session assessment)
Secondary outcomes (2)
Grip and Pinch Strength
Gross grip strength is measured in kilograms using a Jamar hand dynamometer, and fine pinch strength is quantified using a pinchmeter. The average of three trials for each measurement is recorded
Measured: At baseline (single session assessment)
Self-Reported Upper Extremity Disability
Assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. It is an 11-item self-report tool where total scores are converted to a scale ranging from 0 to 100. A score of 0 indicates no disability (best possible outcome), while a score of 100 represents the most severe upper extremity disability (worse outcome). Higher scores mean worse functional limitation.
Measured: At baseline (single session assessment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Jul 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion5 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Handedness and Upper Extremity FunctionStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Target duration
- 1 Day
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Özge Mine Yilmaz
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Medipol University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Özge Mine Yilmaz, Istanbul Aydın University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07699068
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IstanbulAUu
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Jul 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 14 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Upper Extremity Functions of Physiotherapy Students With Different Hand Preferences
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07699068
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IstanbulAUu
- Conditions
- Handedness and Upper Extremity Function
- Keywords
- Hand Preference, Manual Dexterity, Grip Strength, Physiotherapy Students
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 42 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Özge Mine YilmazUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Medipol University
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 5 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Jul 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.
The purpose of this cross-sectional, comparative study is to comprehensively evaluate and compare upper extremity functions among physiotherapy students with different hand preferences. Handedness is a fundamental neuromotor characteristic that significantly influences upper extremity functions, including muscle strength, motor skills, coordination, and movement speed. These differences in motor performance can have prominent implications in professional fields like physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which demand a high level of manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and precise motor control during clinical applications.
While previous literature has predominantly focused on isolated measures such as grip strength, multi-dimensional studies that concurrently evaluate hand preference, objective motor performance, strength, and self-reported functional status remain limited. This study aims to fill this gap by determining whether significant differences exist in strength, performance, and functional levels between right-handed and left-handed individuals within a specialized student population.
A total of 42 physiotherapy and rehabilitation students aged 18 and older will be recruited through convenient sampling. Hand preference and lateralization will be objectively determined using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, categorizing participants based on their Laterality Quotient (LQ). Upper extremity functional levels, manual dexterity, and strength will be thoroughly evaluated. Self-reported upper extremity disability will be measured using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Performance-based manual dexterity and functional capacity will be objectively assessed using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, which measures the time taken to complete seven simulated activities of daily living. Gross grip strength will be measured with a Jamar hand dynamometer, and fine pinch strength will be quantified using a pinchmeter. All assessments will be performed under standardized environmental conditions with dedicated, trained assessors to ensure high measurement reliability. The outcomes will provide critical insights into neuromotor control strategies and potential ergonomic adjustments needed for left-handed students during their clinical training.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Target follow-up
- 1 Day
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Right-handed Physiotherapy Students | – | – |
| Left-handed Physiotherapy Students | – | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The study population consists of undergraduate students studying in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, who are healthy volunteers and stratified into groups based on their hand preferences (right-handed vs. left-handed).
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Being a student currently enrolled in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
- Being aged 18 years or older.
- Voluntary participation with signed informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Having a history of orthopedic surgery, severe trauma, or structural deformity in the upper extremities.
- Diagnosis of any neurological, rheumatological, or systemic disease that permanently affects upper extremity motor functions or muscle strength.
- Presence of acute pain, injury, or active inflammatory conditions in the dominant or non-dominant upper extremity within the last 3 months.
- Sensory deficits or uncorrected visual impairments that prevent understanding or performing the functional tests.
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
Manual Dexterity and Hand Function
Time frame: At baseline (single session assessment)
Assessed using the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT), which consists of seven subtests simulating daily activities (writing, card turning, picking up small objects, stacking checkers, simulated eating, moving light objects, and moving heavy objects). The completion time for each subtest is recorded in seconds, with shorter times indicating better functional performance.
2 secondary outcomes
Grip and Pinch Strength
Time frame: At baseline (single session assessment)
Self-Reported Upper Extremity Disability
Time frame: At baseline (single session assessment)
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 14 Jul 2026.
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Handedness and Upper Extremity Function, run by Özge Mine Yilmaz.
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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
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?
Manual Dexterity and Hand Function (time frame: At baseline (single session assessment)). 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 14 Jul 2026.