Using home-based brain stimulation and meditation to manage knee pain in older adults
Official title: Combination Therapy of Home-based Trans-cranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mindfulness-based Meditation for Self-management of Clinical Pain and Symptoms in Older Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10773118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | April 14, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $455,389 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR019051-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10773118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 45 and above who are experiencing knee osteoarthritis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have knee osteoarthritis or are under 45 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of combining home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with mindfulness-based meditation (MBM) to help older adults manage pain and symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis. The approach focuses on nonpharmacological methods, aiming to enhance brain function related to pain perception. Participants will receive guidance on how to perform these interventions at home, making it accessible for those with limited mobility. The study seeks to determine if this combination can lead to improved pain management and overall quality of life for older adults suffering from this common condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older adults with effective, non-drug options for managing chronic knee pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results for both tDCS and MBM in improving pain management, suggesting that this combined approach may also be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahn, Hyochol — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Ahn, Hyochol
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Telehealth Mindful Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis (TEMPO)
A 10-week, at-home telehealth program blends mindfulness with exercise to help adults with knee osteoarthritis manage pain and improve function.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.