Clinical Research Directory

Assessment of Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

There is no study in the current literature that systematically investigates the extent of upper-extremity proprioceptive impairment in patients with radicular neuropathic symptoms secondary to cervical disc herniation, nor its association with clinical findings. Although existing reviews emphasize proprioceptive deficits in populations with neck pain or cervical spondylosis, no studies specifically address the subgroup of cervical disc-related radiculopathy. This gap in knowledge hinders the integration of proprioceptive assessments with upper-extremity functional outcome measures in diagnostic and rehabilitative processes, suggesting a need for more specific data to guide sensory-motor training approaches. The primary aim of the present study is to assess upper-extremity proprioception in patients with cervical radiculopathy by comparing them with a healthy control group. The secondary aim is to examine the relationship between upper-extremity proprioception and clinical outcomes, including parameters such as pain and functional status.

Suprascapular Nerve Block and Proprioception in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Study

The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of suprascapular nerve block on shoulder joint proprioception in stroke patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain. Fourteen patients aged 18-80 years with hemiplegic shoulder pain will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive suprascapular nerve block followed by a standardized physical therapy program, while the control group will receive the same physical therapy program alone. The primary outcome is shoulder joint proprioception. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, shoulder range of motion, motor recovery, stroke-specific quality of life, and upper extremity functional outcomes. The results of this study are expected to clarify the role of suprascapular nerve block on proprioception and rehabilitation outcomes in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Combination of Kinesio Tape and Proprioceptive Neck Exercises on Proprioception in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy

This study is conducted to investigate: 1. The efficiency of combination of KT and proprioceptive exercises on neck proprioception in patients with CR. 2. The efficiency of combination of KT and proprioceptive exercises on neck pain, neck function and neuropathic pain in patients with CR.

Investigation of the Effects of Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injection on Upper Extremity Proprioception in Patients With Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy

Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition caused by irritation or compression of cervical nerve roots, often leading to unilateral neuropathic pain and functional impairment. Proprioceptive deficits in the upper extremity have been demonstrated in various cervical spine disorders; however, the effect of interlaminar epidural steroid injection (ILESI) on upper extremity proprioception in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy has not been previously examined. This prospective interventional study aims to evaluate changes in upper extremity proprioception following unilateral ILESI in patients with cervical disc herniation-related chronic radiculopathy. A secondary aim is to investigate the relationship between proprioceptive changes and clinical outcomes such as pain, neuropathic pain, disability, grip strength, and quality of life.

Comparative Effects Of Exergaming And Otago Exercise On Anticipatory Postural Control And Sensory Integration In Older Adults

This study explores whether non-immersive, interactive Exergaming using Xbox Kinect can go beyond conventional exercise by actively training the brain and body to react faster, balance smarter, and move more confidently. Through dynamic games like Reflex Ridge and 20,000 Leaks, we aim to stimulate internal perturbations and real-time Sensory Integration, something Otago doesn't directly target. In this randomized controlled trial, 36 older adults (aged 55+) will be assigned to either the Exergaming or Otago group. Both groups will receive 6 weeks of supervised balance training (3x/week, 30 mins/session). Primary outcomes include Sensory Integration, measured using modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (mCTSIB) and Anticipatory postural control assessed through Limits of Stability (LOS) test. Timed up and Go (TUG) will capture functional mobility, which will serve as the secondary outcome in this study. Both mCTSIB and LOS will be administered using the Postural Stability System of Biodex, a reliable and valid computerized platform designed to objectively quantify postural control under varying sensory conditions. With evidence-based outcome tools and rigorous analysis, this project doesn't just aim to compare two programs, it's about challenging tradition, modernizing rehab, and making balance training smarter, safer, and more engaging for the elders we serve. This research could be a leap forward in community-based fall prevention and a step toward a more responsive, personalized future in Neurological Rehabilitation.

Proprioception and Manual Skills

The proprioception refers to a person's awareness of the position, velocity, and weight of any body part in space. Proprioception consists of joint position sense and joint movement sense.Proprioception arises from the coordination of many different receptors, and it is assumed that these receptors are concentrated in muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and ligaments. Examples of proprioceptors include the golgi tendon organ, muscle spindles, pacinian corpuscles, and free nerve endings. Proprioceptive sense is closely related to many movements performed to perform daily activities. Proprioceptive sense is considered one of the most important resources in the development of task-specific neuroplasticity.The healthcare sector comprises individuals from many professional groups. Each professional group reaches professional competence by undergoing specific educational and training stages. Physiotherapists are one of these professional groups. To fulfill their professional duties, physiotherapists are expected to possess core competencies such as patient assessment using various manual methods, clinical decision-making, technical, communication, and therapeutic skills. Furthermore, a key difference distinguishing physiotherapists from other professions is their extensive manual contact with patients during assessment and treatment programs. Members of this professional group receive various training programs in manual therapy methods during their undergraduate studies. They undergo various qualifications that develop their manual skills and conduct assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation using various manual methods throughout their professional careers. The hand, with its complex structure, is one of the most prominent parts of the human body. Despite accounting for 0.6% of body weight and 2% of body surface area, the hand accounts for over 20% of the motor and sensory homunculus, demonstrating the importance and complexity of the hand's functional structure. The hand's ability to perform these complex skills depends not only on motor ability but also on two excellent sensory systems: proprioception and the sense of touch.It is thought that upper extremity proprioceptive sense and manual dexterity may vary among healthcare professionals. The literature primarily focuses on studies evaluating the proprioceptive sense and manual dexterity of dentists. However, it is noteworthy that studies have not compared the differences in proprioceptive sense and manual dexterity among healthcare professionals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare proprioceptive sense and manual dexterity between physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.

Proprioceptive Error Correction for Post-Stroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation

The investigators aim to develop sensory transformation and augmentation technologies that minimize the impact of proprioceptive errors, thereby significantly enhancing motor learning and rehabilitation of the upper limbs. This study is designed to test proprioceptive error compensation techniques in stroke patients. The human nervous system often receives mismatched information from vision and proprioception during upper limb control, resulting in conflicting sensory inputs that limit the effectiveness of motor learning. In other words, real-time sensory feedback - a critical component of motor learning in the nervous system - is not reliably delivered. Therefore, this study seeks to resolve sensory conflicts by providing additional sensory information through electrical stimulation, with the goal of dramatically improving the effectiveness of motor learning.

Kinesio Taping for the Knee and Ankle: Acute Impact on Balance, Proprioception, and ACL Risk

This study aims to evaluate and compare the acute effects of Kinesio taping applied to the knee and ankle on balance, proprioception, and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). Designed as a randomized crossover trial, the study will include 24 healthy volleyball athletes with at least 5 years of experience. All participants will receive both ankle and knee taping interventions, separated by a one-week washout period. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: before and after each taping. Outcome measures include the Y-Balance Test, proprioception tests, and LESS.

Proprioceptive Fatigue Adaptation in Osteoarthritis

This study aims to investigate the effects of fatigue induced by isokinetic exercise on passive and active joint position sense in postmenopausal women diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis). A healthy control group matched for age and sex will also be included for comparative analysis. Participants will undergo proprioceptive assessments before and after an isokinetic fatigue protocol. We hypothesize that (1) fatigue will impair both passive and active joint position sense in patients with gonarthrosis, (2) active joint position sense will be more affected than passive sense, and (3) the deterioration in proprioception will be greater in the gonarthrosis group compared to healthy controls.

Validity and Reliability of a New Mobile Application

In this study, we aimed to study the validity and reliability of the Angle Meter, a Smartphone application for elbow joint position sense.