A program to help people with knee osteoarthritis exercise more effectively
Official title: STepped Exercise Program for Knee Osteoarthritis: The STEP-KOA Study
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11053626 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $122,648 |
| NIH project number | 5R34AR083077-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053626 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing knee osteoarthritis and are currently inactive.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with knee osteoarthritis who are already actively engaged in regular exercise or physical therapy may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Allen, Kelli D. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Allen, Kelli D.
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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.