Comparison of GMI, PNF, and Standard Care for Post-Traumatic Elbow Stiffness Rehabilitation in Adults

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.