Telehealth Mindful Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis (TEMPO)
Official title: Telehealth Exercise and Mindfulness of Pain in knee Osteoarthritis (TEMPO): A digital Feasibility Study
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11412932 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A 10-week, at-home telehealth program blends mindfulness with exercise to help adults with knee osteoarthritis manage pain and improve function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $133,615 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR083153-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412932 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with knee osteoarthritis who have access to telehealth and digital tools.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without knee OA or without access to telehealth or wearable technology may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study tests whether adding mindfulness to a home-based exercise program delivered via telehealth is feasible for adults with knee OA. Participants will be randomly assigned to mindful exercise plus exercise or exercise alone, over 10 weeks, using digital tools and wearable sensors to monitor progress. The trial aims to see if this approach can be delivered remotely and if participants can adhere to it while collecting data on pain, function, and psychological factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have a convenient, remote option that reduces pain and improves function through a mindful, movement-based approach.
How similar studies have gone: Telehealth and mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise in chronic pain, but this specific combination for knee OA is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kumar, Deepak — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Kumar, Deepak
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Telehealth mindful exercise for knee osteoarthritis (TEMPO)
A 10-week group telehealth program combining mindfulness with structured exercise for adults with knee osteoarthritis to help reduce pain and fear of activity.
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Using telehealth to combine exercise and mindfulness for knee osteoarthritis pain management
This study is looking at a new online program that mixes mindful exercises with regular workouts to help people with knee osteoarthritis manage their chronic pain and overcome any negative thoughts about exercising, and it's designed for anyone who wants to improve their movement and well-being from the comfort of home
-
Using home-based brain stimulation and meditation to manage knee pain in older adults
This study is looking at whether using a gentle brain stimulation technique at home, along with mindfulness meditation, can help older adults with knee osteoarthritis feel less pain and improve their quality of life.
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Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
-
Nanoparticles delivering an sPLA2 blocker for knee osteoarthritis
This project uses tiny, drug-filled nanoparticles to deliver an sPLA2-blocking medicine into the knee to reduce inflammation and slow knee osteoarthritis in people with painful knee OA.
-
Remote tai chi for knee OA in everyday care
A nationwide study will test remotely delivered tai chi for people with knee osteoarthritis to see if it helps pain and function when added to usual care.
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.