Using virtual reality for knee osteoarthritis physiotherapy
A Randomised Feasibility Study to Evaluate Home-based Personalised Virtual Reality Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Compared to Usual Care in the Treatment of Pain for People with Knee Osteoarthritis
This study is testing whether using virtual reality games for home physiotherapy can help people with knee osteoarthritis improve their knee function and reduce pain compared to regular physiotherapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 45 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cardiff University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Cardiff and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06639867 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the feasibility of a non-immersive virtual reality system designed to assist individuals with knee osteoarthritis through home-based physiotherapy. Participants will use sensors to control an animated character in games that mimic traditional physiotherapy exercises, aiming to improve their knee function and reduce pain. The intervention will be compared to standard physiotherapy care, with both groups monitored over a 12-week period. The study focuses on assessing recruitment feasibility, participant engagement, and the effectiveness of the intervention in a larger future trial.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 45 or older with a clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis and self-reported pain.
Not a fit: Patients with knee pain from other sources, recent knee surgery, or contraindications to exercise may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel and engaging way for patients to manage knee osteoarthritis pain and improve their mobility from the comfort of their homes.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in physiotherapy is emerging, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in similar studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 45 or older years * Clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis * Referred for physiotherapy for clinically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis pain * Activity related joint pain * Self-reported knee pain on most days for the past 3 months * Average pain severity in the past week of 4 or greater on a 10-point numeric rating scale * Able to understand written and spoken English * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Where knee is not identified by the participant as the main source of pain (e.g. comorbid painful conditions, widespread pain). * Contraindication to exercise * Pain caused by malignancy, fractures, or inflammatory arthritis * Has received surgery for their knee pain in the last 12 months * Has commenced another new treatment for knee pain, including intra-articular injection, during the preceding 12 weeks * Concurrent ongoing treatment by physiotherapy other than the trial interventions * Previous knee arthroplasty in either knee * Unable to walk without a walking aid * Unable or unwilling to engage in either active or control intervention
Where this trial is running
Cardiff and 1 other locations
- Cardiff University School of Healthcare Sciences — Cardiff, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
- University Hospital of Wales — Cardiff, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mohammad Al-Amri
- Email: Al-AmriM@cardiff.ac.uk
- Phone: 02920 687 115
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.