Hand injuries carry a high risk due to the constant demands for use and their complex functionality. These injuries often occur as a result of various incidents, including household accidents, occupational hazards, traffic collisions, and sports activities, and they are particularly common among male workers. The severity of hand injuries varies widely, ranging from simple soft tissue damage to serious tendon and nerve lacerations, as well as fractures. The extent of the injury can significantly affect the recovery process and the likelihood of patients regaining their previous functional abilities.There is a strong connection between hand injuries and their impact on both emotional status and functional capacity. Changes in the hand's appearance and restrictions in daily activities can lead to feelings of helplessness, frustration, and psychological stress. In particular, concerns about returning to work can further exacerbate psychological distress in workers. Core stabilization plays a crucial role in alleviating these negative effects. The core region not only ensures overall body stability but also directly influences hand function. Strengthening and stabilizing the core muscles enhance proper body movement, thereby improving upper extremity efficiency. This physical improvement also contributes to psychological recovery, as the ability to perform daily activities more comfortably enhances self-confidence and overall quality of life. Therefore, core exercises do not only improve functional outcomes but also support psychological well-being.

This study will include 51 male patients diagnosed with traumatic hand injuries who meet the inclusion criteria. Assessments will be conducted on joint range of motion, grip strength, joint position sense, reaction time, hand function, activity and participation levels, quality of life, anxiety and depression scales, galvanic skin response, patient satisfaction, and core stability. These evaluations will be performed at two different time points: before rehabilitation and at the end of a six-week rehabilitation program. The study consists of three groups. The first group will participate solely in a standard hand rehabilitation program. The second group will perform supervised core stabilization exercises three times per week in addition to the standard hand rehabilitation program. In the third group, core stabilization exercises will be performed without the supervision of a physiotherapist, with patients following pre-recorded instructional videos alongside the standard rehabilitation program. For all groups, the hand rehabilitation program will take place five days a week for the first three weeks and three days a week for the following three weeks. Patients in the two groups performing core stabilization exercises will be trained in how to activate the transversus abdominis muscle and coordinate their breathing before starting the exercises. The exercises, including warm-up and cool-down phases, will be performed for ten repetitions per session, with each session lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Additionally, patients will be assigned home exercises from the standard physiotherapy program, and adherence to these exercises will be monitored through checklists.

Although the biomechanical relationship between core muscles and hand function has been explained in the literature, no rehabilitation program incorporating core stabilization exercises for hand injuries has been identified. Moreover, no studies have objectively assessed emotional changes following traumatic hand injuries. This study aims to make a significant contribution to the literature by examining the effects of core stabilization on hand function and emotional well-being.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with a traumatic hand injury
• Having received surgical treatment appropriate to the type of injury
• Being a male individual between 20 and 50 years of age
• Having a moderate, severe, or major score according to the Modified Hand Injury Severity Score (MHISS)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a chronic illness such as neurological, rheumatological, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, or cardiovascular diseases
• Presence of infection

The study will share de-identified, summary-level outcome data, including group-level means, standard deviations, effect sizes, and p-values derived from statistical analyses. These data will be provided to support transparency and allow for interpretation of the study findings.

Summary-level data and supporting documents (e.g., study protocol and statistical analysis plan) will be available within 12 months following the final publication of study results and will remain accessible for at least 5 years via institutional repository or upon reasonable request.

The study's outcome results, including group-level means, standard deviations, p-values, and effect sizes, as well as supporting materials such as the study protocol and statistical analysis plan, will be made available to qualified academic researchers upon reasonable request. Data will be provided for ethically approved, non-commercial research purposes. Interested investigators should contact the principal investigator through the affiliated institution and submit a written request describing the intended use and data handling procedures. Each request will be reviewed individually in accordance with institutional data-sharing guideline.