Thumb Muscle Activation During First Dorsal Interosseous Activities of Daily Living in Thumb Base Osteoarthritis
Key facts
- Where
- Málaga, SpainSee the site
Where in Spain
- Universidad de MálagaMálaga, SpainContact: CARMEN MENAYA FERNANDEZ, Doctoral StudentNo longer taking part
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- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
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- Who runs it
- University of Malaga
- Trial code
- NCT07668986
- Record updated
- 25 June 2026
- Original description
The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in muscle activation of the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) and the Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) between individuals with and without trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) of the thumb during the performance of six activities of daily living (ADLs).Read full original descriptionShow less
A Between-Group Comparison of First Dorsal Interosseous and Abductor Pollicis Longus Muscle Activation During First Dorsal Interosseous Activities of Daily Living in Individuals With and Without Thumb Base Osteoarthritis
The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in muscle activation of the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) and the Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) between individuals with and without trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) of the thumb during the performance of six activities of daily living (ADLs).
The FDI has been defined as a key stabilizer of the TMC joint of the thumb. However, the literature reports limited information on FDI and APL activation during ADLs. TMC OA of the thumb can cause pain, decreased thumb strength, impaired hand function, and difficulty performing ADLs. Understanding muscle activation patterns during these activities is essential to comprehend how this condition affects hand function and to guide more specific and effective rehabilitation strategies.
Participants will perform six ADLs: turning a key to open, turning a key to close, picking up a coin, writing, squeezing a tube of toothpaste, and holding a glass of water. Muscle activity will be recorded using surface electromyography (sEMG) during all tasks.
Adults aged 30 years and older, both men and women, with TMC osteoarthritis and healthy controls without osteoarthritis will be invited to participate.
Researchers will measure the activation patterns of the FDI and APL muscles during the ADLs, with the aim of identifying differences between both groups and providing evidence to guide the rehabilitation of patients with thumb base osteoarthritis.
Inclusion: Clinical diagnosis of thumb TMC osteoarthritis; Participants with no history of musculoskeletal or neurological disorders affecting the dominant hand were included.
Exclusion: Recent upper limb soft tissue or bone injury (trauma, fracture, or surgery of the arm or neck); Cardiac pacemaker implantation; History of neuromuscular disease, polyneuropathy, or plexopathy; Systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or chronic liver or kidney disease; History of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, active anticoagulation therapy, chemotherapy, or exposure to neurotoxins; Presence of numbness, tingling, or other sensory disturbances; Upper limb entrapment neuropathy or cervical radiculopathy.