Improving knee osteoarthritis treatment with mind-body exercises and brain stimulation

Enhancing modulation Effect of Baduanjin through Non-invasive Neuromodulation for knee Osteoarthritis

['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11103301

This study is looking at whether doing Baduanjin exercises at home, along with a gentle brain stimulation technique, can help older adults with knee osteoarthritis feel less pain and move better.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorMASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11103301 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how combining Baduanjin, a mind-body exercise, with non-invasive brain stimulation can enhance its effectiveness for older adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Participants will engage in Baduanjin exercises at home while receiving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve their motor control and reduce pain. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind the varying responses to Baduanjin and to optimize its benefits for individuals with this condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who are looking for non-invasive treatment options.

Not a fit: Patients with severe neurological disorders or those who are unable to perform physical exercises may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective, accessible treatments for knee osteoarthritis, improving pain management and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in using mind-body exercises and neuromodulation techniques for pain management, suggesting this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, 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 →

Conditions: age associated disease, age associated disorder, age dependent disease, age dependent disorder, age related human disease

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.