Could an app replace the clinic for hand arthritis relief?

NCT ID NCT05499559

Symptom relief Sponsor: Joint Academy Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at whether a 12-week digital program—featuring guided exercises, educational lessons, and physiotherapist support—can reduce pain and improve function in people with hand osteoarthritis. Participants use the program at home and report their pain, hand function, and quality of life at the start and after three months. The goal is to see if this remote approach offers a practical way to manage symptoms.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: A digital program combining video-guided exercises, educational lessons, chat support, and physiotherapist consultations.
What this could lead to: If effective, this digital approach could offer a convenient, accessible way to reduce hand pain and improve function without clinic visits.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study without a control group, so improvements may be due to natural recovery or attention effects. Results may not generalize to all patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Participants

846 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jul 2021

Finished

Jun 2023

Lead sponsor

A company

The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Who is studied

Participats joined the programme through recommendation by their local physiotherapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT) or orthopaedic surgeon, via online advertisements and campaigns placed on search engines and social networks, or through their insurance company. A majority of included participants had a clinical diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis from a PT, OT or physician, and all had a physical visit with a healthcare provider regarding their hand OA prior to joining JA. The clinical diagnosis of OA was confirmed by a PT or OT via telephone, or if deemed necessary the patient was recommended to seek face-to-face care before inclusion in the programme.

Ages

18 years and older

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Older than 18 years (often much older) * Previous physical examination regarding hand symptoms * Long-lasting hand pain where osteoarthritis is suspected l(for example joint-specific load and/or rest pain, impaired function with stiffness, decreased grip strength, clumsiness, bone roughening of joints). * started the treatment between 2022-XX-XX to 2022-XX-XX Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Tendon disease (trigger finger, tendinopathy) * Nerve entrapment * Arthritis * Acute injuries (fracture and/or distortion)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis susceptibility 2 osteoarthritis, hand

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Finger osteoarthritis Hand osteoarthritis Thumb osteoarthritis Wrist osteoarthritis

Could an app replace the clinic for hand arthritis relief?

What the study statuses mean