An interventional study of Stabilization Exercise Program in Habitual Knuckle Cracking, sponsored by Borna Farhoomand. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 30 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-11.
Sponsored by Borna Farhoomand · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Habitual knuckle cracking is a widespread behavior caused by intra-articular pressure changes and gas release in synovial joints; however, its long-term effects on hand sensorimotor function, joint laxity, and overall biomechanics remain debated, with no structured clinical exercise interventions currently established. This prospective, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 4-week targeted stabilization exercise program focusing on the radiocarpal, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in young adults aged 18 to 30 years with habitual knuckle cracking. Participants are randomly allocated to either an intervention group receiving twice-weekly stabilization training (8 total sessions) or an un-exercised control group. The study hypothesizes that structured joint stabilization exercises will significantly improve wrist and finger joint position sense (proprioception), enhance upper extremity functional performance, and reduce joint laxity compared to the control group.
115 studies on the registry are indexed under Joint Instability; 21 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 42 is close to the median of 46 across 58 interventional studies indexed under Joint Instability.
Browse Joint Instability studies →Borna Farhoomand is the lead sponsor of 5 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
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Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
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Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Other: Stabilization Exercise Program
A 4-week supervised hand and wrist stabilization exercise program conducted 2 times per week (8 total sessions, 30-45 minutes per session). The protocol targets the radiocarpal (wrist), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. Exercises focus on enhancing joint position sense (proprioception), motor control, isometric and dynamic stabilization, and balanced muscle co-activation around the digits and wrist complex. Progression is individualized based on participant tolerance, maintaining movements within non-painful ranges to prevent joint strain. All sessions are supervised by a physical therapist.
Change from Baseline in Joint Position Sense (JPS) Absolute Error at 4 Weeks
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Change from Baseline in Joint Laxity
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Change from Baseline in Upper Extremity Functional Performance using the QuickDASH questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Change from Baseline in Pain Intensity on Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
No study locations are listed for this record.
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Feb 2027, 4 months later.
Of 36 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Joint Instability, half reached primary completion within 15 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 8 and three quarters within 37. This study's planned 4 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 41 studies reached it within 15 months; a quarter within 7 and three quarters within 60.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Borna Farhoomand