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NCT Number: NCT06697561

Development and Evaluation of an Evidence-based Education Program for People With Hand Dysfunction in Scleroderma

The purpose of this study is to develop an evidence-based educational program for scleroderma patients with hand dysfunction. The program includes a self-care handbook and multimedia video resources. The study aims to answer:

Does the intervention improve hand function in the experimental group compared to the control group? Does the intervention improve self-care knowledge of hand dysfunction? Does the intervention improve overall health?

Participants will receive an 8-week program, while the control group receives usual care. Outcome measures include hand function, overall health, and self-care knowledge.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Scleroderma, Systemic Connective Tissue Diseases Scleroderma, Diffuse Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cheng Hsin General Hospital

Taipei, 112, Taiwan

About this study

The study will adopt a repeated measures randomized controlled trial design (parallel randomized controlled trial) using convenience sampling. Participants in the experimental group will receive an "evidence-based scleroderma hand dysfunction education program" provided by the researchers for eight weeks. The control group will receive standard medical care during the study period and will receive the same scleroderma hand dysfunction education program as the experimental group after the study concludes. Both groups will undergo pre-intervention assessments, as well as post-intervention assessments at the fourth and eighth weeks. The primary outcome measures include evaluating the effectiveness of the education program in improving hand dysfunction severity, overall health, adherence to rehabilitation exercises, and self-care knowledge related to hand dysfunction.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants with systemic sclerosis who meet the 2013 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) / European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) diagnostic criteria and have hand dysfunction.
  • Adults aged 18 years or older.
  • Participants who are conscious and able to communicate in Mandarin Chinese or Taiwanese Hokkien.
  • Participants who provide informed consent to participate in the study after being briefed on its purpose.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants who have participated in any other hand rehabilitation program within the past three months.

2, Participants with organic brain dysfunction. 3. Participants with severe visual or hearing impairments. 4. Participants with serious illnesses that hinder communication or interfere with the normal learning process.

Treatment and study plan

patient education program

Behavioral

The intervention for the experimental group was an "evidence-based educational program for hand dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis," which included a health education manual and multimedia videos developed through evidence translation. Additionally, individual education and consultation were provided.

Primary outcomes

  1. Self-developed questionnaire on self-care knowledge for scleroderma hand dysfunction

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention

    The "Scleroderma Hand Function-Related Self-Care Knowledge Scale," validated by experts for reliability and validity, consists of 15 items. The scale uses a dichotomous scoring method with three response options: "True," "False," and "Don't know." It includes both positively and negatively worded items. Correct answers are scored as one point, while incorrect answers and "Don't know" responses are scored as zero. The total score ranges from 0 to 15, with higher scores indicating a greater level of self-care knowledge regarding scleroderma-related hand function impairments.

  2. Grip strength

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

    Grip strength of the dominant hand (in kg) will be measured using a dynamometer, and the average of three trials will be used as the final muscle strength assessment indicator.

  3. delta finger-to-palm, Delta-FTP

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

    Delta-FTP refers to the difference in distance between the tip of the third finger and the midpoint of the distal palmar crease when the finger is fully extended and fully flexed. It is an effective measurement method to assess the range of motion and flexibility of fingers in patients with scleroderma.

  4. Raynaud's phenomenon visual analog scale

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

    This scale evaluates the severity and impact of Raynaud's phenomenon on daily activities in patients with scleroderma over the past week. Scores range from 0 mm (no impact) to 100 mm (very severe impact), with higher scores indicating greater impairment of hand function

  5. Digital ulcers visual analog scale

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

    This scale evaluates the severity and impact of Digital ulcers on daily activities in patients with scleroderma over the past week. Scores range from 0 mm (no impact) to 100 mm (very severe impact), with higher scores indicating greater impairment of hand function.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Overall disease severity visual analog scale

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention

    This scale measures the patient's self-assessed overall disease severity, ranging from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates the best health and 100 indicates the worst health, with higher scores indicating poorer overall health status.

  2. Adherence to Hand Exercise Training

    Time frame: At baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

    Using an exercise diary as an evaluation tool to assess the effectiveness of adherence to rehabilitation exercise training

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wen-Shao Lin

Other

Collaborators

  • Cheng Hsin Rehabilitation Medical Center
  • National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Registry information

Official study title

Development and Evaluation of an Evidence-based Education Program for People With Hand Dysfunction in Scleroderma: A Randomized Control Trail

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Nov 20, 2024
Registry last updated
Nov 20, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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