Understanding how exercise affects pain in people with knee osteoarthritis
Official title: Project 1: Impaired Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia
Funded at Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-11056749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people with knee osteoarthritis feel more pain instead of relief when they exercise, and it aims to find out how the body’s nervous system and heart rate might play a role, so we can create better exercise programs for those who struggle with traditional workouts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,157,872 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG076471-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who suffer from knee osteoarthritis and experience chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with knee osteoarthritis who do not experience pain or have other unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how some individuals with knee osteoarthritis experience increased pain instead of relief when exercising, a phenomenon known as impaired exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). The study aims to uncover the biological mechanisms behind this response by examining factors such as nervous system sensitivity and heart rate variability. By understanding these mechanisms, the research seeks to improve exercise interventions for those who do not benefit from traditional physical activity approaches. Participants will undergo assessments to evaluate their pain responses and nervous system function during exercise.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective exercise programs that alleviate pain for individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of pain can lead to improved treatment strategies, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University Medical Campus
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neogi, Tuhina — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Neogi, Tuhina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Creating a detailed map of early lung cancer changes
This study is looking at early changes in lung tissue that can lead to cancer, specifically focusing on common types of lung cancer, and it's for patients who want to help researchers understand these changes better so they can improve early detection and treatment.
-
Telomere trouble in ALT cancers: what causes damage and how it happens
Researchers are studying why some cancer cells use ALT to lengthen telomeres and how replication stress damages telomeres, aiming to uncover key processes that could be targeted in patients.
-
IL-6 signaling, lung injury, and post-TB lung disease in TB/HIV
This grant tests how a specific immune signal (IL-6) relates to lung damage after tuberculosis in people with and without HIV, aiming to understand who is at risk for lasting lung problems.
-
IL-6 signaling and lung injury after TB and HIV co-infection
This project looks at how a common immune signal called IL-6 relates to lung injury after TB treatment, especially in people who also have HIV.
-
LEAD Africa: advancing Alzheimer’s research across Africa
A new project aims to build Alzheimer’s disease research capabilities in Africa to improve understanding and care for people with dementia.
-
Leading AD and related dementias research in Africa
A multi-country effort aims to build Africa’s capacity to study Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias using scalable, low-cost methods.
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.