Graded motor imagery for foot and ankle osteoarthritis

Effectiveness of Graded Motor Imagery Training in Individuals With Foot/Ankle Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study will try adding graded motor imagery to a structured exercise program to see if it reduces pain and improves function in adults with foot or ankle osteoarthritis.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Antalya, Antalya and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07417436 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with clinically or radiologically confirmed foot and/or ankle osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to receive a structured exercise program alone or the same exercise program plus graded motor imagery training. The trial will enroll 24 participants at Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training and Research Hospital and use baseline and follow-up measurements to track change. Key inclusion criteria include age 18 or older, ankle pain most days for at least three months, sufficient Turkish language ability, and a Mini‑Mental State Exam score of at least 24; key exclusions include prior ankle arthrodesis or replacement, recent physical therapy or intra‑articular injections, neuromuscular disease, or sensory impairments that affect participation. Outcomes will focus on pain and functional measures collected during scheduled in-person visits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) with a specialist-confirmed diagnosis of foot and/or ankle osteoarthritis who have had ankle pain most days for at least three months, speak Turkish, score ≥24 on the Mini‑Mental test, and can attend in-person visits are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with prior ankle fusion or joint replacement, recent ankle physical therapy or injections, significant vision/hearing problems, neuromuscular disease, or those starting new disease-specific drugs during the study are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding graded motor imagery to exercise could reduce pain and improve foot/ankle function without additional medications or surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Graded motor imagery has shown benefit in some chronic limb pain conditions and limited positive results in other musculoskeletal settings, but evidence specifically for foot or ankle osteoarthritis is sparse.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Be 18 years of age or older,
* Have a diagnosis of foot and/or ankle osteoarthritis confirmed by a specialist physician through clinical and/or radiological examination
* Experience pain in the ankle joint most days for at least three months
* Agree to participate in randomly assigned treatment and follow-up measurements
* Have sufficient understanding of the Turkish language
* Have a Standardized Mini Mental Test score of at least 24 points

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous arthrodesis or joint replacement surgery on the affected ankle,
* Having received physical therapy for ankle osteoarthritis within the last three months
* Presence of vision or hearing problems that may affect compliance with treatment.
* Presence of a neuromuscular disease
* History of intra-articular ankle injections within the last 3 months
* Initiation of a new disease-specific pharmacological treatment during the study period

Where this trial is running

Antalya, Antalya and 1 other locations

• Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training and Research Hospital — Antalya, Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)
• Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training and Research Hospital — Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Özlem Nur Tok Yaman, PhD

Conditions: Ankle Osteoarthritis, Foot Osteoarthritis