A program to help people with knee osteoarthritis exercise more effectively

STepped Exercise Program for Knee Osteoarthritis: The STEP-KOA Study

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11053626

This study is testing a special exercise program for people with knee osteoarthritis to help them stay active and feel better, starting with home exercises and support, and offering extra help if they need it.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11053626 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates a structured exercise program designed specifically for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The program starts with home-based exercises and includes behavioral support tools to encourage participation. If patients do not see improvement after three months, they receive telephone coaching, and if necessary, they can progress to physical therapy. This stepwise approach aims to integrate exercise into clinical care more effectively and improve patient outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing knee osteoarthritis and are currently inactive.

Not a fit: Patients with knee osteoarthritis who are already actively engaged in regular exercise or physical therapy may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management and functional ability for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that structured exercise programs can significantly improve outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.