PRIME-PT feasibility study

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Managing Elbows - Post Trauma (PRIME-PT)

• IRAS ID

  366127

• Contact name

  Karen Barker

• Contact email

  karen.barker@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Oxford

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  NCT00000000

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 7 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  After a traumatic elbow injury, it can be difficult to regain normal elbow movement as stiffness often develops. Reduced elbow movement can disrupt daily activities like personal hygiene, eating and returning to work.

  In the NHS, physiotherapy is commonly used to treat traumatic elbow injuries, but current practices vary, and guidelines are lacking. The aim of physiotherapy for post-traumatic elbow stiffness is to enhance movement, function, reduce pain and improve quality of life.

  It remains unclear what the best physiotherapy treatment is. As a result, approaches vary among practitioners. We want to optimise physiotherapy management for those with traumatic elbow injuries to regain normal elbow range-of-movement, reducing the development stiffness after the injury.

  We plan to recruit at least 30 participants, aged 16 or older, who have recently suffered a bony elbow injury, such as a fracture or dislocation from two sites. Elbow injuries can be defined as injuries to different parts of the arm including, radial head and neck fractures, olecranon fractures, distal humeral fractures, elbow dislocations.

  Participants will be randomised using a 2:1 formula, with the aim to recruit 20 participants to the intervention arm and 10 to usual care.

  The intervention includes:
  •4-6 physiotherapy sessions over a maximum of 3 months. This allows physiotherapists to tailor and progress exercises, including stretching and strengthening. They will also help participants plan when and where to do their exercises

  Duration: 3 months

  The comparator group will receive usual care therapy, 2 sessions of standard physiotherapy management typically provided for individuals following traumatic elbow injury within the participating clinical settings.

  This study will look at:
  •Randomisation acceptability
  •Recruitment and retention rates
  •Attendance and adherence to physiotherapy sessions

  This will help us refine the approach for a larger feasibility trial and ensure ongoing feedback from patients and clinicians.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  26/YH/0060

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Apr 2026

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion