NIH-funded research R01 grant

Improving Function and Pain After Total Knee Replacement Through Physical Activity and Weight Loss

Official title: Physical Activity and Weight Loss to Improve Function and Pain after Total Knee Replacement

Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11144577 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This program helps adults who have had total knee replacement surgery improve their movement and reduce pain by focusing on physical activity and healthy weight.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of South Carolina at Columbia
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project startJuly 15, 2021
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$476,464
NIH project number5R01AG070004-05
Project IDNIH-11144577 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are adults aged 21 and older who have recently undergone total knee replacement surgery and are overweight or obese.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not overweight or obese, or who have not had total knee replacement surgery, may not directly benefit from this specific program.

What this research studies

Many people who have total knee replacement surgery still struggle with movement and pain, and often gain weight afterward. This program offers a personalized approach to help you manage your weight and increase your physical activity after surgery. Participants will join either a patient-centered weight loss program, which is designed to fit your unique needs and challenges, or a group focused on managing chronic diseases. The goal is to help you move better, feel less pain, and improve your overall health and independence in the long term.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could help patients recover better after total knee replacement, leading to less pain, improved movement, and a higher quality of life.

How similar studies have gone: While the benefits of physical activity and weight management for overall health are well-known, this specific patient-centered program is being tested in a rigorous trial to confirm its effectiveness after total knee replacement.

Where this research is happening

  • University of South Carolina at Columbia
    Columbia, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Pellegrini, Christine Ann — University of South Carolina at Columbia
  • Study coordinator: Pellegrini, Christine Ann

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.