Combined Effects of MWM and Tendon Gliding Exercises in Smartphone Users With De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

March 25, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Combined Effects of Mulligan's Mobilization With Movement and Tendon Gliding Exercises in Smartphone Users With De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

This randomized controlled trial aims to assesses the combined effects of MWM and tendon gliding exercises on hand function in smartphone users with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, considering hand anthropometric variations.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (DQT) is a painful musculoskeletal condition characterized by inflammation of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons within the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. It is commonly associated with repetitive thumb and wrist movements, with smartphone overuse emerging as a significant contributing factor among young adults.

Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement (MWM) has been shown to correct minor joint malalignments and reduce compressive forces on inflamed tendons, thereby improving wrist kinematics and reducing pain. Tendon gliding exercises enhance tendon excursion, minimize adhesions, and improve synovial fluid circulation, which supports recovery of thumb and wrist function. When combined, these interventions address both mechanical and functional impairments associated with DQT.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

44

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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 Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan
        • Recruiting
        • Begum Akhtar Rukhsana Hospital (stroke and rehab centre)
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • sadia wajid, MSOMPT*
        • Principal Investigator:
          • sadia wajid, MSOMPT*

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patient diagnosed with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (positive Finkelstein's test).
  • Patient having persistent thumb/wrist pain and functional difficulties for a duration of at-least 2 weeks.
  • Patient willing to participate and give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patient with history of trauma, fracture, or surgery in the affected wrist or thumb.
  • Patient with neurological disorder affecting the upper limb.
  • Patient with systemic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes affecting tendon function.
  • Any other co-morbidity.

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement (MWM) + Tendon Gliding Exercises (combined effect)
MWM: Radial glide of 1st MCP with active thumb extension (10 reps × 3 sets, progressed with resistance in weeks 3-4). 2- Tendon Gliding Exercises: Straight hand, hook fist, tabletop, full fist, straight fist (10 reps × 2 sets in weeks 1-2; 3 sets × 15 with resistance band in weeks 3
Other: MWM + Tendon Gliding Exercises
MWM: Radial glide of 1st MCP with active thumb extension (10 reps × 3 sets, progressed with resistance in weeks 3-4). 2- Tendon Gliding Exercises: Straight hand, hook fist, tabletop, full fist, straight fist (10 reps × 2 sets in weeks 1-2; 3 sets × 15 with resistance band in weeks 3-4).
Other: Conventional Treatment
Wrist ROM (flexion, extension, radial/ulnar deviation, pronation/supination). 2-Thumb ROM (abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, opposition/circumduction). 3-Isometric wrist/thumb strengthening. 4-Strengthening with soft ball, thumb abduction/adduction against resistance. 5-Postural and ergonomic education for smartphone usage.
Other: Conventional Treatment
1- Wrist ROM (flexion, extension, radial/ulnar deviation, pronation/supination). 2-Thumb ROM (abduction/adduction, flexion/extension, opposition/circumduction). 3-Isometric wrist/thumb strengthening. 4-Strengthening with soft ball, thumb abduction/adduction against resistance. 5-Postural and ergonomic education for smartphone usage

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Grip Strength Dynamometer
Time Frame: 4 weeks
It is a valid and reliable tool used for measuring isometric hand grip strength. This objective tool will be used to assess hand muscular performance and functional status in patients with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis. The NOD digital dynamometer has been shown to provide consistent and reproducible readings. Reliability: 0.97 and Validity: 0.94.
4 weeks
Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) Questionnaire
Time Frame: 4 weeks
It is a valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure for assessing wrist pain and functional disability. This tool will be used to evaluate wrist-related limitations in activities of daily living in DQT patients. It includes two subscales: pain and function, making it responsive to clinical changes. Reliability: 0.96 and Validity: 0.88.
4 weeks
Hand Anthropometry (Caliper & Measuring Tape)
Time Frame: Baseline
These are reliable and valid tools used to measure various hand dimensions, including palm width, thumb length, and wrist circumference. These measurements help understand the influence of hand morphology on grip strength and functional ability in smartphone users with DQT. Reliability: 0.88 and Validity: 0.71.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Maria khalid, MSOMPT, Riphah International University

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 (Actual)

February 20, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 16, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 20, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 25, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/ Sadia Wajid 02281

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

Clinical Trials on DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis

Clinical Trials on MWM + Tendon Gliding Exercises

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in United Kingdom

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe