Using home-based brain stimulation and meditation to manage knee pain in older adults

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

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · NIH-10773118

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

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10773118 on ClinicalTrials.gov

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 45 and above who are experiencing knee osteoarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have knee osteoarthritis or are under 45 years old may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

TUCSON, 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 →

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.