Effects of Arm and Leg Exercise on Knee Pain in Osteoarthritis

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This pilot randomized cross-over study investigates how upper extremity exercise (using an arm ergometer) compares to lower extremity exercise (using a cycling ergometer) in inducing hypoalgesia and affecting knee pain in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Participants will undergo three laboratory visits, including baseline assessments and two exercise sessions, each separated by a wash-out period. The study will also examine the influence of socioeconomic factors and autonomic function on the exercise outcomes related to pain. Data on knee pain, central pain mechanisms, and exercise-induced hypoalgesia will be collected before and after each exercise session.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Participants with knee OA (Target n=40)

Inclusion Criteria:

We will recruit participants with knee OA, using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's clinical diagnostic criteria, which does not require radiographs. The clinical diagnostic criteria include:

* age ≥45
* activity-related knee pain
* either no morning joint-related stiffness or stiffness that lasts ≤ 30 minutes.
* knee pain at least 4 on a 0-10 pain scale
* knee pain as a chief complaint if having multiple pain
* understand English

Exclusion Criteria:

* peripheral neuropathy or other sensation loss on the body sites for pain measurements (i.e., the wrist, knee, the forearm)
* use of medical devices electrically active (e.g., pacemaker)
* chronic use of opioids
* pregnant women
* serious and uncontrolled concomitant disease, including cardiovascular, nervous system, pulmonary, renal, hepatic, metabolic, hormonal, endocrine, gastrointestinal or epileptic disease
* rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and any neurological disorders that prevent the study procedure
* cognitive impairment
* history of a knee replacement surgery
* inability to perform exercise due to severe pain or other symptoms
* any intervention procedures for knee pain in the last 3 months

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for pain-free controls (Target n = 20) Pain-free controls are not having a pain-related medical condition. They have to speak and understand English. Pain-free controls are excluded if they had experienced a pain episode, caused by musculoskeletal injury or otherwise in the previous 3 months.

Where it's running

• The University of Texas at El Paso
  El Paso, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kosaku Aoyagi, PhD — Assistant Professor
• Study coordinator: Kosaku Aoyagi, PhD
• Email: kaoyagi@utep.edu
• Phone: 9157478215

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.