A program to improve mental and physical health for Black adults with knee osteoarthritis

Physical and Mental Health Intervention for Black Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Feasibility Study

Not applicable Interventional Boston University Charles River Campus · NCT06493903

This study is testing a new program that combines mental health support and exercise to see if it helps Black adults with knee osteoarthritis feel better and improve their quality of life.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages50 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBoston University Charles River Campus Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06493903 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research aims to test the feasibility of the Positive Minds, Strong Joints (PMSJ) intervention for Black adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis. The program includes a 10-week combination of psychoeducation, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via remote sessions, alongside a community-based group exercise and pain education program. Participants will be monitored over 26 weeks, with surveys assessing pain, function, quality of life, and mood at multiple time points. The study seeks to evaluate recruitment and retention rates to determine the intervention's feasibility.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Black adults aged 50 and older with knee pain and symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Not a fit: Patients who have had recent knee surgeries or are currently receiving physical or mental health treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve both the physical and mental health of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using combined physical and mental health interventions for chronic pain management, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Age≥50
* BMI ≤ 40 kg/m2
* Self-identify as Black (including African American)
* Knee pain ≥4/10 on a 11 numeric scale over the past week
* Scored 5 or more on either the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and/or the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7)
* Can speak and understand English at a sufficient level to understand the study procedures and informed consent
* Available for study duration
* Able to attend remote sessions

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

* Knee, hip or ankle replacement
* Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid knee injection within 3 months
* Knee surgery within past 6 months
* Currently receiving or received within 3-months any PT for knee OA
* Currently receiving or received within 3 months any mental health intervention (excluding pharmacologic treatments)
* Planning to initiate physical therapy for joint or low back pain in the next 3months
* Planning to initiate any mental health treatment (excluding pharmacologic treatments) in the next 1 month.
* Systemic inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
* Neurologic conditions (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc.)
* Contraindications to starting an exercise program.
* Suspected substance abuse
* Lack capacity to consent
* Pregnancy (self-report)
* Participation in another clinical trial for any joint or muscle pain
* Planning for a major surgery in the next 6 months
* Having high risk mental health symptoms (active suicidality, bipolar disorder, mania, psychosis, schizophrenia)
* Receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer)

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Osteoarthritis, Kneechronic paindepressionanxietyexercisecognitive behavioral therapyBlack adults
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.