The primary aim of this study was to review the current literature on the efficacy of conservative treatments in improving pain, functionality, and mobility in individuals with TMC joint conditions. A secondary goal was to assess the quality of the evidence available regarding these interventions.
A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases for studies published from 2013 to November 2023. Additional references were identified from existing literature reviews. Study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving disagreements. Only randomized, non-randomized, and clinical trials involving conservative or physical therapy treatments for TMC conditions were included. The Cochrane ROB-2 tool and the ROBINS-I tool were used to assess the quality of randomized and non-randomized trials, respectively.
Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, with 1080 participants (mean age = 65.38 years; mean percentage of female participants = 82%). Most studies (12) focused on TMC OA, while others addressed TMC joint laxity and subluxation. Moderate quality evidence showed that proprioception training significantly improved pain, proprioception, range of motion (ROM), hand strength, and occupational performance in both short- and long-term follow-up. However, moderate to low-quality evidence indicated that dynamic stability programs had no significant impact on hand strength, ROM, or functionality over short- and long-term periods.
Proprioception training may be an effective conservative treatment for improving pain, strength, and mobility in individuals with TMC OA, while dynamic stability programs appear to offer limited benefit. Future research should focus on exploring the efficacy of other conservative treatments for TMC joint conditions.
These findings highlight the potential of incorporating proprioception training into conservative treatment protocols for TMC OA. Dynamic stability programs, while commonly prescribed, may require further investigation to determine their value in treatment plans. This review provides critical insights for clinicians seeking non-invasive treatment strategies and for policy makers shaping guidelines on TMC joint management.
proprioception training
conservative treatment
