Anti-gravity treadmill for meniscus tear rehabilitation
The Effect of Anti-Gravity Treadmill Training on Symptoms and Functions in Patients With Meniscus Tears
This test will see if walking on an anti-gravity treadmill helps adults 18–40 with MRI-confirmed meniscus tears reduce pain and improve knee function more than a conventional treadmill or standard rehab.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Bezmialem Vakif University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Eyup) |
| Trial ID | NCT06646536 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults with MRI-confirmed meniscus tears will be randomly assigned to three groups: anti-gravity treadmill walking, conventional treadmill walking, or a control group, while all receive a standard physiotherapy program twice weekly for six weeks. The anti-gravity treadmill uses an inflatable chamber to reduce body weight during walking, aiming to protect the joint and surrounding tissues while maintaining movement and muscle strength. Symptoms and functional measures will be recorded at baseline and after the six-week program to compare outcomes across groups. The trial focuses on short-term changes in pain, effusion, joint-line tenderness, locking, and overall knee function.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–40 with clinical symptoms and MRI-confirmed meniscus tear, without prior knee surgery, other knee ligament injuries, or neurological disorders are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with prior knee surgery, additional ligament injuries, neurological conditions, or those requiring immediate surgical repair may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could let patients regain knee mobility and strength with less pain and safer weight-bearing during early rehab.
How similar studies have performed: Anti-gravity treadmills have shown benefit in other orthopedic and post-injury rehabilitation settings, but their specific effectiveness for meniscus tears is relatively novel and not yet widely proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-40 years old * Clinical history and symptoms consistent with MRI-confirmed meniscus tear Exclusion Criteria: * History of previous knee surgery * Other knee ligament pathologies * Neurological disorders
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Eyup
- Bezmialem Vakif University — Istanbul, Eyup, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kubra Alpay, PhD — Bezmialem Vakif University
- Study coordinator: Kubra Alpay, PhD
- Email: kubraalpay@hotmail.com
- Phone: +902124012600
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.