Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis

Overseen By Gillian Hatfield, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Gillian Hatfield

Disqualifiers: Severe knee trauma, Neurological, Endocrine, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether the group exercise program, Les Mills Thrive, can benefit individuals with knee osteoarthritis by enhancing muscle strength, improving balance, and reducing symptoms. Participants will engage in 45-minute classes focusing on flexibility, strength, and coordination, available both in person and at home. Individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, experiencing knee pain, and having symptoms like crepitus (a crackling sound or sensation) or bony tenderness may be suitable for this study. As an unphased trial, this study provides participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the quality of life for those with knee osteoarthritis.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this exercise program is safe for individuals with knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that exercise programs like Les Mills Thrive are generally safe for people with knee osteoarthritis. Studies have found that exercise can improve strength and balance without causing significant harm. Exercise is often recommended to help manage osteoarthritis symptoms.

Although specific data on Les Mills Thrive is limited, exercise programs for knee osteoarthritis are usually well-tolerated and rarely cause serious problems. Participants might experience some muscle soreness after exercising, but this is common and temporary.

For those considering joining a trial with Les Mills Thrive, similar exercise programs have been shown to be safe and beneficial for joint health. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Les Mills Thrive is unique because it offers a comprehensive exercise program specifically designed for knee osteoarthritis, combining flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises in a 45-minute class format. Unlike traditional treatments like pain medications or physical therapy that often require one-on-one sessions, this program can be done in a group setting or at home using recorded classes, making it more accessible and adaptable to individual schedules. Researchers are excited because this method could empower individuals to manage their condition actively and potentially improve their quality of life through a structured, enjoyable fitness routine.

What evidence suggests that this exercise program is effective for knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that exercise can reduce pain and improve movement in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Strengthening and aerobic exercises are particularly beneficial for those with mild to moderate knee OA. In this trial, participants will engage in the Les Mills Thrive program, a group exercise regimen focusing on flexibility, strength, and coordination. Participants may choose to participate in a group setting or at home using recorded classes. The program aims to enhance muscle strength, balance, and symptoms related to knee OA. These benefits suggest that participants may experience less pain and improved mobility after completing the program. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of the Fraser Valley

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants should be able to perform exercises and attend sessions for 12 weeks. Specific details on inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically, these would exclude individuals with certain health conditions that might interfere with exercise.

Inclusion Criteria

Participants must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to ensure they are safe to begin an exercise program (determined via recruitment email)

I have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis by a doctor.

Exclusion Criteria

I have vision problems that affect my balance.

I have a chronic inflammatory joint condition.

I have active joint inflammation.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial data collection including muscle activation patterns, strength, balance, and symptoms

1 week

Treatment

Participants undergo a 12-week group exercise intervention (Les Mills Thrive) to improve muscle activation, strength, and balance

12 weeks

Weekly group exercise sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Les Mills Thrive

Trial Overview The trial tests a group exercise program called Les Mills Thrive to see if it improves muscle activity, strength, balance, and reduces symptoms in people with knee osteoarthritis. Measurements will be taken before and after the 12-week program using various methods including electromyography and questionnaires.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Les Mills Thrive is a 45-minute class that consists of flexibility, strength, and coordination exercises designed to be delivered in a group fitness environment. Participants will have the option to attend group fitness classes in person, or do the exercise program at home on their own asynchronously, using recorded classes as guidance.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Gillian Hatfield

Lead Sponsor

Les Mills International

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

250+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-osteo-arthritis-knee-and-hip-7-2025-76ed7

Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis · Info for Participants These outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after a 12-week group exercise intervention (Les Mills Thrive) for 42 older adults with knee OA. Results ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3302040/

Effectiveness of exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee Muscle strengthening and aerobic exercises are effective in reducing pain and improving physical function in patients with mild to moderate OA of the knee.

3. buzzsprout.com buzzsprout.com/1368397/8164826/transcript

Untitled Today we discussed strengthening and the effects that might have on knee OA. We looked at previous research and why the results weren't so strong and then what ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/356812501_Effects_of_lower_body_positive_pressure_treadmill_on_functional_improvement_in_knee_osteoarthritis_A_randomized_clinical_trial_study

(PDF) Effects of lower body positive pressure treadmill on ... This finding indicates that LBPP treadmill walking training might be an effective approach for alleviating pain symptoms and improving lower ...

5. lesmills.com lesmills.com/us/clubs-and-facilities/research-insights/research/push-up-science/

New research confronts myths around knee push-ups New research shows knee push-ups are in fact an effective way of building strength and a useful gateway for members to progress towards push-ups on their toes.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07073911

Effect of Exercise on Muscle Activity, Strength, and Balance ... These outcome measures will be measured at baseline and after a 12-week group exercise intervention (Les Mills Thrive) for 42 older adults with knee OA. Results ...

7. lesmills.com lesmills.com/fit-planet/fitness/running-and-joint-health/

Running or nothing: what's worse for your knees? – Fit Planet The scientific evidence indicates that running does not wear out your joints, but actually helps prevent osteoarthritis.

8. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41093618/

Comparative efficacy and safety of exercise modalities in ... Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of various exercise modalities as therapeutic interventions for managing knee osteoarthritis.

9. lifenethealth.org lifenethealth.org/cell-attachment-and-osteoinductive-properties-tissue-engineered-demineralized-bone-fibers-bone-void

Cell Attachment and Osteoinductive Properties of Tissue ... This study showed that L-MDF have the necessary characteristics of a bone void filler to treat osseous defects.

10. fitabase.com fitabase.com/research-library/

Fitbit Research Library Measurement of physical activity in the pre- and early post-operative period after total knee arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis using a Fitbit ...