New options for treating knee pain from osteoarthritis

New Options for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis Pain

NA · University of Utah · NCT05541718

This study is testing whether Reiki, a fake version of Reiki, or mindfulness meditation can help people with knee pain from osteoarthritis feel better and improve their knee function.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment164 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah (other)
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT05541718 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness of three different interventions—Reiki, Sham Reiki, and mindfulness meditation—on patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. A total of 164 participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: one receiving Reiki, one receiving Sham Reiki as a placebo, one practicing mindfulness meditation, and a waitlist control group. Each intervention will be administered for 20 minutes once a week over four weeks in a controlled university laboratory setting. The study aims to assess pain relief and overall improvement in knee function.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis who report moderate pain levels.

Not a fit: Patients who have undergone knee surgery in the past year or have cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide non-pharmacological treatment options for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis pain.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of these interventions is novel, similar studies exploring mindfulness and energy therapies have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Osteoarthritis in at least one knee
* Report a WOMAC pain score average \>/= 2
* Not using any kind of energy therapy different from the proposed study
* Ability to read, understand and speak English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Knee arthroplasty in the previous year
* Have cognitive impairment as determined by clinical interview

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.