A mind-body program to help knee OA with obesity and depression
Official title: A multi-site feasibility clinical trial of GetHealthy-OA, a mind-body program for those with the combination of knee osteoarthritis, obesity, and depressive symptoms
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11290455 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-site study is testing GetHealthy-OA, a mind-body program designed for people who have knee osteoarthritis along with obesity and depressive symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,591,498 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AT013252-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11290455 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with knee OA who are obese and have depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
People without knee OA, obesity, or depressive symptoms or those unable to participate in a mind-body program may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to help people with knee OA, obesity, and depression by offering a structured mind-body program at multiple sites. The researchers will enroll participants and deliver the program, then monitor changes in pain, function, mood, and physical activity over time. The goal is to see if this approach can reduce pain and improve quality of life for those facing this challenging combination of conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience less knee pain and better daily functioning through a practical, holistic program.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests mind-body approaches can help with pain and mood, but this specific combination in OA, obesity, and depression is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacobs, Cale — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Jacobs, Cale
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
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-
Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis
This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.
-
Remote tai chi for knee OA in everyday care
A nationwide study will test remotely delivered tai chi for people with knee osteoarthritis to see if it helps pain and function when added to usual care.
-
Sensory nerves and joint cells talk to each other in knee arthritis
This grant tests how nerve signals and joint cells interact in knee osteoarthritis, with a focus on CGRP pathways and how they affect pain and joint damage.
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From knee to brain: a whole-body look at inflammation in knee osteoarthritis
Aims to map inflammation across the body and brain in people with knee osteoarthritis using advanced imaging to help explain and improve pain and treatment.
-
Determinants of rapid knee osteoarthritis progression using radiograph features
A patient-friendly look at how knees with osteoarthritis may progress more quickly, using advanced X-ray measurements to identify who is at higher risk.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.