Improving knee osteoarthritis treatment with mind-body exercises and brain stimulation
Official title: Enhancing modulation Effect of Baduanjin through Non-invasive Neuromodulation for knee Osteoarthritis
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11103301 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 4, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $604,153 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT012173-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103301 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who are looking for non-invasive treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe neurological disorders or those who are unable to perform physical exercises may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kong, Jian — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kong, Jian
Related research
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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.