Effects of 60 days of head-down bed rest on knee joint cartilage and function

Effects of 60-day-6° Head-down Bed Rest on Cartilage and Function of the Knee Joint

Not applicable Interventional Peking University Third Hospital · NCT06612372

This study is testing how 60 days of lying in a tilted position affects knee joint health and function in men aged 25-50.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment26 (estimated)
Ages25 Years to 50 Years
SexMale
SponsorPeking University Third Hospital Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing)
Trial IDNCT06612372 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how a 60-day period of head-down bed rest affects the quality of knee joint cartilage and overall knee function. A total of 26 male participants aged 25-50 will undergo this intervention, during which their daily activities will be performed in a 6° downward tilted position. Functional MRI scans will be utilized to assess cartilage composition and water content before and after the bed rest period, alongside functional assessments like the Y-Balance Test and IKDC scores. The study aims to provide insights into the impact of simulated weightlessness on knee health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy males aged 25-50 with specific height and weight criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of alcoholism, smoking, or those with certain medical conditions or implants may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of cartilage degeneration in conditions mimicking weightlessness.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in the context of knee cartilage assessment, similar studies on bed rest and its effects on the body have shown varying degrees of success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* (1) male; (2) age 25-50 years old; (3) height between 160-175 cm, weight ≥50kg, and BMI between 18.5-26 kg/m²; (4) good general health status.

Exclusion Criteria:

* (1) history of alcoholism; (2) smoking ≥5 cigarettes/day in the 3 months before the test; (3) drug dependence or use of medications affecting bone metabolism within 2 weeks before screening; (4) presence of metal implants, severe vertigo, or severe snoring.

Where this trial is running

Beijing

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 Cartilage DegenerationWeightlessness
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.