Actively Recruiting
Analysis of Muscle Force, Power, and Motor Control Loss to Predict Falls in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Led by Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli · Updated on 2026-02-27
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
23 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how muscle power, strength, and motor control loss relate to the risk of falling in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. The study aims to determine whether muscle power and motor control decline are better predictors of falls than muscle strength. This research focuses on elderly patients who are more prone to falls and seeks to develop a detailed method for assessing muscle power and strength in this group. Participants will undergo several tests including muscle force and power assessments using a dynamometer, stair climbing tests on instrumented stairs, and mobility monitoring at home with wearable sensors. They will also have full lower limb MRI scans and gait evaluations with motion capture and muscle activity measurements. The study lasts 24 months with five visits at 6-month intervals, performing muscle tests and mobility monitoring at each visit, while MRI and gait assessments are done only at the start and end. During the study, participants will be monitored for muscle force, power, muscle activation, and mobility outcomes at each visit. Additional measures include musculoskeletal model predictions and muscle volume changes. The study collects detailed imaging, electromyography, and functional data to track changes over time and aims to provide insights into preventing falls. Participants will be followed closely for two years, with assessments scheduled every six months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Analysis of the Loss of Muscle Force, Power and Motor Control to Predict the Risk of Falls in Patients With Knee OA
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 65 and 80 years
- Kellgren score II or III for knee osteoarthritis
- No history of falls in the last 12 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Any musculoskeletal, neurological, rheumatic, or tumoral diseases
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Inguinal or abdominal hernia
- Severe hypertension (Level 3)
- Severe cardio-pulmonary insufficiency
- Diagnosis of osteonecrosis in lower limb joints
- Conditions incompatible with MRI or electrostimulation (e.g., implanted biomedical devices, epilepsy, severe venous insufficiency in lower limbs)
- Previous interventions or traumas to lower limb joints
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 24 months
Participants undergo muscle force and power assessments, and home-based mobility monitoring to quantify muscle strength and motor control.
5 visits every 6 months (Months 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24)
Duration - At start and end of study
Participants receive full lower limb MRI and gait assessments to characterize muscle tissue and movement patterns.
2 visits (Month 0 and Month 24)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli
Bologna, Italy, 40136
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Lisa Berti, Professor
M
Massimiliano Baleani, Engineer
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
1
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