Effect of exercise on knee osteoarthritis

Effect of Nordic Walking and Inspiratory Muscle Training to Promote Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Not applicable Interventional The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · NCT06084949

This study is testing if Nordic walking and breathing exercises can help people with knee osteoarthritis feel less pain and breathe better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages55 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Kowloon City, Kowloon)
Trial IDNCT06084949 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the impact of Nordic walking and inspiratory muscle training on cardiopulmonary function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Participants are divided into groups based on the severity of their condition, with mild-to-moderate cases receiving Nordic walking alongside routine management, while end-stage cases undergo inspiratory muscle training with pre-operative rehabilitation. The study aims to assess improvements in cardiopulmonary function, pain reduction, and overall disability through structured exercise interventions. Two assessments will be conducted to compare outcomes between intervention and control groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis experiencing pain and difficulty in daily activities.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone knee surgery or have inflammatory arthritis may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance physical function and reduce pain for patients with knee osteoarthritis through structured exercise.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with exercise interventions for knee osteoarthritis, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* pain on the most days in one or both knees in the past month;
* difficulty with at least one of daily living activities measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale;
* radiographic evidence of knee OA in the tibial-femoral compartment (Kellgren and Lawrence grade, K/L ≥1, K/L 1-3 regarded as mild-to-moderate knee OA, others waiting for knee arthroplasty regarded as end-stage knee OA);
* with normal or corrected visual and auditory function and walking unaided;
* primary knee OA for more than 6 months, be stable on medication for at least 3 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

* knee surgery priorly;
* have steroid injection in previous three weeks;
* have inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid); or unstable angina, or myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery; or stroke; or treatment with steroids, hormones, or cancer chemotherapy; or pulmonary diseases (force vital capacity\<80% of predicted and/or forced expiratory volume at first second\<70% of predicted); or a history of exercise-induced asthma;
* unable to understand the procedure and potential risks of the study;
* medically unstable that indicate unsafe to participate in exercise test

Where this trial is running

Kowloon City, Kowloon

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, KneePhysical Inactivityexercisepainfunction
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.