The effects of motor imagery on trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis in women during the post-surgical immobilisation period: A protocol for a randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis is the second most frequent degenerative hand disease and is the most functionally debilitating. The condition presents in 66% of women over 55. Motor imagery (MI) training post-surgery could help reduce rehabilitation times. Method: It is an experimental, prospective, longitudinal, parallel arm randomised clinical trial. Participants were women over 50 years old on the surgical waiting list. The experimental group will undergo MI training during the 3-week post-surgical immobilisation period. The control group will receive standard rehabilitation treatment. Outcomes will be assessed four times throughout the study using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, the Cochin Hand Function Scale questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale, goniometry, baseline pinch gauge, circumferential measurement (cm), the Modified Kapandji Index and the Kinaesthetic and Visual Imagery questionnaire. Discussion: Early MI could improve hand function leading to improvements in recovery times. Trial registration: Clinical Trials registration: NCT03815734. Ethics Committee approval: 17155. Project funded in 2021.