Does mobilization with movement lower inflammation in knee osteoarthritis?

The Effect of Mobilization With Movement Versus Sham Mobilization on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Not applicable Interventional University of Jazan · NCT07166068

This trial will try mobilization with movement plus exercise and education to see if it reduces pain and blood markers of inflammation in adults with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Jazan Government
Locations1 site (Jizan, Jazan Region)
Trial IDNCT07166068 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, controlled trial will enroll 40 adults with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3 knee osteoarthritis and pain greater than 3/10. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either mobilization with movement (MWM) or a sham mobilization, with both groups also receiving standard exercise and education. Treatments will be delivered twice weekly for four weeks, and outcomes will be measured before and after the intervention period. Primary outcomes include blood inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, ESR), self-reported pain, and knee function.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with clinically diagnosed unilateral or bilateral knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3), pain greater than 3 on a VAS, and a BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m² are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with inflammatory arthritides (like rheumatoid arthritis or gout), recent knee surgery, recent systemic or intra‑articular steroid or hyaluronic acid injections, recent significant infections, contraindications to mobilization, or BMI outside 18.5–30 may not receive benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce knee pain and systemic inflammation, improving function and symptom management for people with knee osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of MWM and other manual therapies have demonstrated improvements in pain and function in knee OA, but evidence that these techniques change systemic inflammatory biomarkers is limited and mixed.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3 knee OA
* Pain intensity \> 3 on a visual analogue scale (VAS)
* Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 kg/m²

Exclusion Criteria:

* Knee or lower limb surgery within the last six months.
* Significant joint disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or other inflammatory arthritis).
* Recent significant acute infections.
* Contraindications to mobilization with movement.
* Current or recent use systemic glucocorticoids, intra-articular glucocorticoid injections or intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections.

Where this trial is running

Jizan, Jazan Region

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 Knee OsteoarthritisKnee OAMWMManual TherapyCRPESR
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.