One of the standard treatment methods in individuals with thumb osteoarthritis (OA) is exercise. Combination therapy options involving these exercises can be applied to patients. It has been demonstrated that high-intensity laser therapy is effective in terms of pain and function in patients with thumb OA.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an exercise program combined with high-intensity laser therapy on pain, function, and muscle strength in patients with first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis.

First carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of the hand that causes severe pain, stiffness, weakness, and increased functional loss. It is based on joint degeneration involving articular surface deterioration, osteophyte formation, and ligamentous laxity. It is a prevalent condition in the aging population and can significantly affect hand function. The disease affects approximately 7% of men and 15% of women over the age of 50. First CMC joint OA can lead to pain and deformity at the base of the thumb, resulting in limitations in activities of daily living. Consequently, in the chronic stages of the disease, patients may experience decreased neuromuscular control of the joint, subluxation of the thumb, and adduction contracture.

The primary goals in the treatment of first CMC joint OA are to reduce pain and stiffness by improving hand function and functional capacity. Accordingly, patients are often referred to rehabilitation programs that include occupational and physical therapy interventions. High-quality studies on the conservative management of first CMC joint OA are limited. The current literature suggests that orthotic applications and intra-articular hyaluronate or steroid injections provide only partial therapeutic effects. Exercise therapy combined with patient education has been reported to be effective in the management of hand OA. Recent reviews indicate that therapeutic exercises combined with manual therapy and orthotic use may be effective in reducing pain and improving function in the short term in first CMC joint OA.

Laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment method that, through its photobiomodulation effect on cells and tissues, helps increase the rate of healing and supports tissue repair, while also reducing inflammation and alleviating pain. Although low-level laser therapy has been studied in individuals with first CMC joint OA and shown to be effective on grip strength, it has not been found to be more effective than placebo in terms of pain reduction. In another study, high-intensity laser therapy applied alone to the first CMC joint showed short-term effects on pain, but its effectiveness decreased in follow-up assessments. A study on knee osteoarthritis demonstrated that an exercise program combined with high-intensity laser therapy was more beneficial.

The hypothesis of this study is that combining high-intensity laser therapy with exercise therapy will be more effective in reducing pain over the long term in patients with first CMC joint OA.

Exercise programs have no known side effects. Possible side effects of laser therapy include erythema, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, petechiae, and thermal hypersensitivity. Detailed descriptions of the exercise protocol, high-intensity laser therapy protocol, and references are provided in the research protocols.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with stage I, II, or III carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis in their dominant hand based on radiographic findings according to the Eaton-Littler-Burton classification system
• Patients experiencing pain equal to or greater than 4 on the Visual Analog Scale during activities of daily living
• Patients who agree to complete the provided clinical evaluation scales to assess treatment efficacy and who can sign the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a history of neurological diseases affecting the upper extremity
• Patients with a history of rheumatological diseases
• Patients who have received any treatment for hand problems (including intra-articular joint injections) within the last six months
• Patients with severe hand and wrist injuries (such as fractures)
• Patients with a surgical history related to the thumb
• Patients diagnosed with hand or finger tenosynovitis, Dupuytren's disease, or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Patients with conditions contraindicating laser therapy (cardiac pacemaker, cancer, pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension)