Actively Recruiting
Mechanical and Molecular Determinants of Cartilage Response to Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2026-02-09
20
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
C
Carnegie Mellon University
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the feasibility of two different exercise programs for people aged 45 to 79 with knee osteoarthritis. This pilot randomized trial compares a usual exercise program with one that includes longer resting intervals during sessions. The study focuses on participants with early to moderate knee osteoarthritis who lead sedentary lifestyles and have the knee as their most painful joint. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups exercise three times a week for 12 weeks, performing warm-up activities, strengthening exercises for lower limb muscles, and aerobic treadmill training. One group exercises with minimal resting periods, completing sessions in about one hour, while the other group includes two long 45-minute rest periods, making sessions last about two and a half hours. Before and after the exercise programs, participants undergo assessments including gait analysis, knee MRI, muscle strength tests, and physical performance evaluations. Questionnaires are completed, and blood and synovial fluid samples are collected. The main measure is the feasibility of recruitment, with safety of the interventions monitored during the three months following treatment. Participants are expected to comply with study procedures and be available throughout the study duration.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Feasibility of Resting Intervals During Exercise Programs for Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 45 and 79 years
- Clinical diagnosis of primary, early to moderate stage knee osteoarthritis
- Body mass index less than 35 kg/m2
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Knee joint is the most painful joint in the body
- Ability to speak and understand English
- Willingness to follow all study procedures and be available for the study duration
You will not qualify if you...
- Non-osteoarthritis knee disease
- Advanced knee osteoarthritis
- Knee injection in the past 3 months
- Major knee trauma or surgery in the past 5 years or previous knee surgery with hardware limiting cartilage assessment
- Regular participation in exercise or physical activity
- Participation in another knee osteoarthritis intervention study
- Use of cane, walker, or crutches for walking
- History of cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension
- Two or more unexplained falls in the past year
- Inflammatory, autoimmune, neurological, systemic, muscular, or connective tissue conditions affecting walking or exercise ability
- Contraindication to MRI
- Medical condition increasing risk or preventing study compliance
- Pregnancy
- Acute or terminal illness
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 12 weeks
Participants complete an exercise program 3 times a week for 12 weeks on nonconsecutive days. One group performs exercises with two long 45-minute rest periods within each session lasting about two and a half hours. The other group performs exercises with minimal resting periods, with sessions lasting about one hour.
3 visits per week (in-person)
Duration - Before and after the 12-week program
Before and after the exercise program, participants undergo assessments including gait analysis, MRI imaging of knees, muscle strength and physical performance tests, questionnaires, and collection of blood and synovial fluid samples.
2 visits (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
G
Gaupp
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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