ClinicalTrials.gg
TerminatedNCT01775670Updated May 15, 2017Results posted

Off-the-Shelf Splints Versus Occupational Therapy Splints for Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis

An interventional study of Off-the-shelf splint and OT Splint in Trapeziometacarpal (TMC) Arthrosis, sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital. Terminated at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 40 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2017-05-15.

Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Why this study was terminated
Due to the principal investigator leaving the institution and slow enrollment, we have decided to close the study prior to study completion
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
4
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
40 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The specific aim is to compare the effectiveness of Off-the-Shelf splints and splints provided by Occupational Therapy for treatment of trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrosis.

Read the detailed description

Trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrosis is so common, particularly in women, that it should be considered a normal part of the aging process. Overall radiographic prevalence of TMC arthrosis has been described to be as high as 91% in patients older than eighty years of age. It increases steadily from the age of 41 years, more rapidly in women than in men. Another study, conducted in the Netherlands, showed that in a population of 55 years and older, 67% of women and 55% of men had radiographic signs of arthrosis of the hand. It also found that the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints are most commonly affected (47%), followed by the TMC joint (36%). However, it has been reported that in symptomatic arthrosis, TMC arthrosis contributes more to pain and disability than arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints. Psychosocial factors have been recognized as the strongest determinants of highly variable pain intensity and arm-specific disability. The pathophysiologic and psychosocial differences between patients who present to the doctor for treatment and those who do not are incompletely understood.

A hand-based thumb spica splint with the interphalangeal (IP) joint free is a specific nonoperative palliative treatment for TMC arthrosis. The goals of splint wear are improved comfort and function. The data regarding specific splint materials are limited, but suggest that shorter more flexible splints are preferred by patients and equally effective. Recently, the investigators looked into if there was a difference between thermoplast and neoprene hand-based thumb spica splints for treatment of TMC arthrosis. The neoprene splint was rated more comfortable than the thermoplast splint but otherwise there was no difference.

To the investigators' knowledge no studies have looked at the added value of occupational therapy in splint treatment for TMC arthrosis. The investigators believe that the time spent by occupational therapists (OTs) coaching patients on adaptive and palliative measures is valuable in addition to their technical skills but the investigators cannot draw any conclusions until the investigators research this in a prospective trial.

The investigators propose a two arm unblinded, randomized (1:1) controlled trial to evaluate if there is a difference between prefabricated off-the-shelf splints and splints provided by an OT with standard care coaching. The investigators want to determine if there is a difference in arm-specific disability, average pain, and satisfaction at an average of 2 months between splints provided by an OT and prefabricated off-the-shelf splints.

02

Conditions studied

  • Trapeziometacarpal (TMC) Arthrosis

Browse trials for

Keywords

  • Arthrosis
03

In context

Osteoarthritis

4,445 studies on the registry are indexed under Osteoarthritis; 582 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 4 is below the median of 70 across 3,474 interventional studies indexed under Osteoarthritis.

Browse Osteoarthritis studies →

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 2,582 studies on the registry; 451 are open to participants now.

Of its 221 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 168 (76%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
40 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  1. 40 years of age and older
  2. Clinical or radiological diagnosis of TMC arthrosis by MD
  3. English fluency and literacy

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Prior surgical treatment of TMC arthrosis on same side
  2. Prior treatment of TMC arthrosis on same side with a splint during the last two months
  3. Prior injury of the trapeziometacarpal joint
  4. Rheumatoid arthritis
  5. Pregnant women.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
4 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Off-the-Shelf Splint

    Subjects in this arm will be managed with off-the-shelf splints for TMC arthrosis.

    Device: Off-the-shelf splint

  • Active comparator
    OT Splint

    Subjects in this arm will be managed with a custom-made splint made by the Massachusetts General Hospital Occupational Therapists.

    Device: OT Splint

Interventions

  • DeviceOff-the-shelf splint

    Subjects will use an off-the-shelf splint

  • DeviceOT Splint

    Subjects will use a splint custom-made by Massachusetts General Hospital Occupational Therapists.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH)

    The short form of the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand to assess upper extremity disability. The scale range is from 0-100, where 0 is no difficulty performing tasks and 100 is the most difficulty or unable to complete any tasks.

    Time frame: At enrollment

  2. Change From the Baseline in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH) at 2 Months After Enrollment

    The short form of the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand to assess upper extremity disability. The scale range is from 0-100, where 0 is no difficulty performing tasks and 100 is the most difficulty or unable to complete any tasks. This was measured 2-month after treatment.

    Time frame: 2 months after enrollment

  3. Thumb Pain at Enrollment

    11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of pain. The scale range is from 0-10, where 0 is no pain at all and 10 is the worst pain ever had.

    Time frame: At enrollment

  4. Average Satisfaction With the Splint 2 Months After Enrollment

    Average satisfaction with splint treatment will be assessed 2 months after enrollment. 11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of satisfaction. The scale range for satisfaction is from 0-10, where 0 is dissatisfaction and 10 is complete satisfaction with the splint.

    Time frame: At 2 months after enrollment

  5. Average Pain 2 Months After Enrollment

    Average pain will be assessed 2 months after enrollment. 11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of pain. The scale range for pain is from 0-10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain.

    Time frame: At 2 months after enrollment

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Depression

    A computerized assessment of depression measured at enrollment. The average T score of the U.S. population is 50, so the T score reported compares the study population to the U.S. population, where a T score greater than 50 is worse than the average and a T score less than 50 is better than the average.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

  2. PROMIS Pain - Interference

    A computerized assessment of pain interference measured at enrollment. The average T score of the U.S. population is 50, so the T score reported compares the study population to the U.S. population, where a T score greater than 50 is worse than the average and a T score less than 50 is better than the average.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

  3. Thumb Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joint in Resting Position (Degrees)

    Measurements of thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in resting position.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

  4. Thumb MCP in Pinch Position (Degrees)

    Measurements of thumb MCP in pinch position.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

  5. Thumb Pinch Strength

    Measurement of thumb pinch strength using a pinch meter. Subjects place the pinch meter between their thumb and index finger and pinch down to record the pinch strength.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

  6. Thumb Grip Strength

    Grip strength of the affected hand was measured at enrollment using a dynamometer. The subject squeezes the handle of the dynamometer to maximum capability to measure grip strength. Each subject completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the affected hand to get an average grip strength of the affected hand.

    Time frame: At Enrollment

07

Results

Posted May 15, 2017

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Started13
Completed02
Not completed11
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up11

Outcome measures

PrimaryDisabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH)

The short form of the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand to assess upper extremity disability. The scale range is from 0-100, where 0 is no difficulty performing tasks and 100 is the most difficulty or unable to complete any tasks.

Time frame:
At enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH)
units on a scaleOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH)4.5 ± NA29.5 ± 6.43
PrimaryChange From the Baseline in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH) at 2 Months After Enrollment

The short form of the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand to assess upper extremity disability. The scale range is from 0-100, where 0 is no difficulty performing tasks and 100 is the most difficulty or unable to complete any tasks. This was measured 2-month after treatment.

Time frame:
2 months after enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Change From the Baseline in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH) at 2 Months After Enrollment
units on a scaleOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Change From the Baseline in the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Quick Questionnaire (Quick-DASH) at 2 Months After Enrollment—20.5 ± 6.85
PrimaryThumb Pain at Enrollment

11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of pain. The scale range is from 0-10, where 0 is no pain at all and 10 is the worst pain ever had.

Time frame:
At enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Thumb Pain at Enrollment
units on a scaleOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Thumb Pain at Enrollment3 ± NA5.5 ± 3.5
PrimaryAverage Satisfaction With the Splint 2 Months After Enrollment

Average satisfaction with splint treatment will be assessed 2 months after enrollment. 11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of satisfaction. The scale range for satisfaction is from 0-10, where 0 is dissatisfaction and 10 is complete satisfaction with the splint.

Time frame:
At 2 months after enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Average Satisfaction With the Splint 2 Months After Enrollment
units on a scaleOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Average Satisfaction With the Splint 2 Months After Enrollment—4 ± 1.4
SecondaryPatient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Depression

A computerized assessment of depression measured at enrollment. The average T score of the U.S. population is 50, so the T score reported compares the study population to the U.S. population, where a T score greater than 50 is worse than the average and a T score less than 50 is better than the average.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · T score
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Depression
T scoreOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) - Depression—38.9 ± 6.6
SecondaryPROMIS Pain - Interference

A computerized assessment of pain interference measured at enrollment. The average T score of the U.S. population is 50, so the T score reported compares the study population to the U.S. population, where a T score greater than 50 is worse than the average and a T score less than 50 is better than the average.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · T score
PROMIS Pain - Interference
T scoreOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
PROMIS Pain - Interference—54.5 ± 2.33
SecondaryThumb Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joint in Resting Position (Degrees)

Measurements of thumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint in resting position.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · degrees
Thumb Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joint in Resting Position (Degrees)
degreesOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Thumb Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joint in Resting Position (Degrees)—7.5 ± 3.5
SecondaryThumb MCP in Pinch Position (Degrees)

Measurements of thumb MCP in pinch position.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · degrees
Thumb MCP in Pinch Position (Degrees)
degreesOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Thumb MCP in Pinch Position (Degrees)—10 ± 0
SecondaryThumb Pinch Strength

Measurement of thumb pinch strength using a pinch meter. Subjects place the pinch meter between their thumb and index finger and pinch down to record the pinch strength.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · pounds
Thumb Pinch Strength
poundsOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Thumb Pinch Strength7.67 ± NA10.67 ± 0.94
SecondaryThumb Grip Strength

Grip strength of the affected hand was measured at enrollment using a dynamometer. The subject squeezes the handle of the dynamometer to maximum capability to measure grip strength. Each subject completed the grip strength measurement 3 times on the affected hand to get an average grip strength of the affected hand.

Time frame:
At Enrollment
Reported as:
Mean · pounds
Thumb Grip Strength
poundsOff-the-Shelf SplintOT Splint
Thumb Grip Strength24.67 ± NA39.67 ± 14.61
PrimaryAverage Pain 2 Months After Enrollment

Average pain will be assessed 2 months after enrollment. 11-point ordinal pain scale to assess the amount of pain. The scale range for pain is from 0-10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain.

Time frame:
At 2 months after enrollment

No measurements were reported for this outcome.

Adverse events

Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Off-the-Shelf Splint0/1 (0%)0/1 (0%)0/1 (0%)
OT Splint0/3 (0%)0/3 (0%)0/3 (0%)

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Off-the-Shelf SplintOT SplintTotal
<=18 years000
Between 18 and 65 years112
>=65 years022
Age, Continuous
Age, Continuous(years)Off-the-Shelf SplintOT SplintTotal
Mean60 ± NA66.3 ± 4.264.8 ± 4.6
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Off-the-Shelf SplintOT SplintTotal
Female134
Male000
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Off-the-Shelf SplintOT SplintTotal
United States134
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Massachusetts General Hospital
    Boston, Massachusetts 02114, United States
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 15, 2017, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01775670
Responsible party
David C. Ring, MD (Principal Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 25, 2013
Start date
Feb 2013
Primary completion
Jan 2016
Completion
Jan 2016
Results posted
May 15, 2017
Last update
May 15, 2017

Study contacts

David C Ring, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Massachusetts General Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is terminated, as verified in Apr 2017. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion