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Comparison of GMI, PNF, and Standard Care for Post-Traumatic Elbow Stiffness Rehabilitation in Adults
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes
Summary
TRICEPS is a single-center, randomized, open-label, three-arm study evaluating two rehabilitation approaches for post-traumatic elbow stiffness in adults: Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), each combined with standard care, compared with standard care alone. A total of 75 adults aged 18 to 64 years with post-traumatic elbow stiffness following a fracture will be randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three groups: standard rehabilitation alone, standard rehabilitation combined with GMI, or standard rehabilitation combined with PNF. The treatment period will last 6 weeks. The primary objective is to compare the effects of these rehabilitation approaches on upper-limb functional capacity, assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes include muscle strength, active joint range of motion, pain, kinesiophobia, and health-related quality of life.
Official title: Open-label Randomized Interventional Study Comparing the Efficacy of Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Protocols With Standard Care in the Rehabilitation of Post-traumatic Elbow Stiffness in Adults.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 64 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
75
Start Date
2026-12
Completion Date
2031-02
Last Updated
2026-10-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Standard Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation
Standard multidisciplinary rehabilitation over 6 weeks, consisting of physiotherapy 5 times per week, occupational therapy 5 times per week, a psychological assessment at the beginning of treatment, and a prescribed independent exercise program. Physiotherapy includes passive stretching, and occupational therapy focuses on upper-limb function. The total rehabilitation time is standardized across the three study groups.
Graded Motor Imagery (GMI)
Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) integrated into the rehabilitation program over 6 weeks, consisting of three successive 2-week phases: left-right discrimination, imagined movements, and mirror-based visual feedback. The intervention is incorporated into occupational therapy and replaces an equivalent amount of standard rehabilitation time as needed, without increasing the total rehabilitation time.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - Hold-Relax
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) using the Hold-Relax technique, delivered by a trained physiotherapist 5 times per week over 6 weeks. The technique is integrated into the 30-minute physiotherapy session and replaces passive stretching. The total rehabilitation time remains equivalent to that of the standard care group.
Locations (1)
Centre Hospitalier de Valenciennes
Valenciennes, Hauts-de-France, France