A Study on Associations Between Multidimensional Human Phenotypic Traits and Human Growth and Development

October 16, 2026 updated by: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

This observational study aims to investigate the associations between multidimensional human phenotypic characteristics and growth and developmental features. A total of 500 participants aged 6 to 60 years are planned to be enrolled. Multidimensional phenotypic characteristics will be assessed using non-invasive methods, including fingerprint imaging, foot morphology assessment, facial and tongue feature acquisition, anthropometric measurements, and musculoskeletal examinations. Development-related musculoskeletal characteristics, including plantar arch morphology, lower-limb alignment, joint range of motion, and generalized joint mobility, will also be assessed. The collected data will be analyzed to explore associations between external phenotypic characteristics and musculoskeletal growth and developmental features.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Primary Objective:

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the associations between multidimensional human phenotypic characteristics and musculoskeletal growth and developmental features. Multidimensional phenotypic data will be collected using non-invasive assessment methods. Fingerprint characteristics will be obtained using high-resolution fingerprint imaging and characterized according to dermatoglyphic patterns and quantitative features. Foot morphology and plantar arch characteristics will be assessed using three-dimensional foot scanning. Facial and tongue features will be acquired using standardized digital imaging methods. Anthropometric characteristics and joint range of motion will also be measured using standardized procedures.

Musculoskeletal growth and developmental characteristics will be evaluated through physical examination and quantitative measurements. These assessments will include plantar arch morphology, lower-limb alignment, joint range of motion, and generalized joint mobility assessed using the Beighton score. Associations between multidimensional phenotypic characteristics and these musculoskeletal developmental features will be examined using appropriate statistical methods.

Secondary Objective:

The secondary objective is to explore whether combinations of multidimensional phenotypic characteristics are associated with specific patterns of musculoskeletal growth and development. The study will integrate fingerprint, foot, facial and tongue, anthropometric, and musculoskeletal data to investigate potential relationships among different phenotypic dimensions. Exploratory multivariable and machine-learning analyses may be used to identify combinations of phenotypic features associated with musculoskeletal developmental characteristics.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Guangdong
      • Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, 510515
        • Recruiting
        • Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Chao Chen, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be young adults aged 18 to 25 years recruited primarily from university populations. Eligible participants will undergo standardized assessments of dermatoglyphic, facial, foot, anthropometric, limb proportional, and joint mobility characteristics.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 18 to60 years.
  • Able to understand the study procedures and provide informed consent.
  • Willing and able to complete the required phenotypic assessments and measurements.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of surgery that may affect musculoskeletal morphology or function.
  • Known congenital or developmental disorders that may affect physical growth, limb development, or musculoskeletal morphology.
  • Unable to complete the required study assessments.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: COHORT
  • Time Perspectives: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Adult Group

Adult participants aged 18 to 60 years who undergo multidimensional phenotypic assessments, including fingerprint imaging, foot morphology assessment, facial and tongue feature acquisition, anthropometric measurements, joint range of motion assessment, and evaluation of generalized joint mobility and other musculoskeletal developmental characteristics.
Other: Fingerprint Morphological Characteristics

Fingerprint images of all ten fingers will be collected using a high-resolution fingerprint scanner. Dermatoglyphic characteristics, including fingerprint pattern types (arch, loop, and whorl), total ridge counts, and ridge counts of individual fingers, will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. These naturally occurring phenotypic characteristics are observed and measured only, with no intervention assigned to participants.
Minor Group

Participants aged 6 to 17 years who undergo multidimensional phenotypic assessments, including fingerprint imaging, foot morphology assessment, facial and tongue feature acquisition, anthropometric measurements, joint range of motion assessment, and evaluation of generalized joint mobility and other musculoskeletal developmental characteristics.
Other: Fingerprint Morphological Characteristics

Fingerprint images of all ten fingers will be collected using a high-resolution fingerprint scanner. Dermatoglyphic characteristics, including fingerprint pattern types (arch, loop, and whorl), total ridge counts, and ridge counts of individual fingers, will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed. These naturally occurring phenotypic characteristics are observed and measured only, with no intervention assigned to participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Foot Arch Morphology Assessed by Arch Index
Time Frame: Baseline

Foot arch morphology will be assessed using the Arch Index derived from standardized foot measurements. The Arch Index will be used as a quantitative indicator of plantar arch morphology to characterize variations in foot development among participants.
Baseline
Generalized Joint Hypermobility Assessed by Beighton Score
Time Frame: Baseline

Generalized joint hypermobility will be assessed using the 9-point Beighton scoring system. The total score ranges from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater generalized joint hypermobility.
Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Anthropometric and Limb Proportional Measurements
Time Frame: Baseline

Anthropometric measurements, including height, body weight, upper- and lower-limb lengths, and other relevant body dimensions, will be collected using standardized measurement procedures. Limb proportional indices will be calculated to characterize individual differences in body and limb morphology.
Baseline
Foot Morphological Characteristics
Time Frame: Baseline

Foot morphological characteristics will be assessed using standardized foot scanning and measurement procedures. Measures will include foot dimensions and morphological features derived from plantar and foot-shape data to characterize individual variations in foot morphology.
Baseline
Fingerprint Dermatoglyphic Characteristics
Time Frame: Baseline

Fingerprint images will be collected using a standardized acquisition procedure. Dermatoglyphic characteristics, including fingerprint pattern types and other morphological features, will be extracted and analyzed to investigate their associations with foot morphology, limb proportions, and generalized joint hypermobility.
Baseline
Facial Morphological Characteristics
Time Frame: Baseline

Standardized facial images will be collected under controlled acquisition conditions. Facial morphological characteristics and quantitative facial features will be extracted from the images to characterize individual variations in facial morphology and to investigate their associations with limb and musculoskeletal phenotypes.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
October 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
October 19, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 16, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
October 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • NFEC-2026-524

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared at this time due to concerns regarding participant privacy and confidentiality.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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