Joint Mobilization and Exercise for Osteoarthritis

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Guy L Terry, MPT, PhD(c)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Texas Woman's University

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Rheumatological disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 7-8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if self-administered joint mobilization and exercises can treat knee osteoarthritis, a condition causing knee pain and stiffness. Researchers seek to understand if these self-treatments can improve daily activities, knee movement, and hip strength. Participants will be compared to those receiving similar treatments from a physical therapist (clinician-applied joint mobilization). Ideal candidates are adults experiencing knee pain while moving, with little or no morning stiffness. Participants must attend physical therapy sessions, perform exercises at home, and have a follow-up clinic visit after six months. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance self-care options for 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 joint mobilization and exercise program is safe for treating knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that self-applied joint mobilization is generally safe for people with knee osteoarthritis. Studies have found that manual therapy, including joint mobilization, can reduce pain and improve movement without causing serious side effects. In one study, patients experienced less knee pain and found daily activities easier after using manual therapy.

Regarding the safety of these treatments, no major negative effects were reported. This indicates that joint mobilization, whether self-applied or performed with a therapist, is usually well-tolerated. Current research findings support confidence in the safety of self-applied joint mobilization. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about self-applied joint mobilization for osteoarthritis because it empowers patients to manage their condition from home, which could lead to greater accessibility and convenience compared to clinician-administered therapies. Unlike standard care that often requires frequent clinic visits for physical therapy, this method allows for self-management, potentially reducing healthcare costs and time commitments. By giving patients control over their treatment, this approach may improve adherence and outcomes, offering a promising alternative to traditional in-clinic therapies.

What evidence suggests that self-applied joint mobilization is effective for knee osteoarthritis?

Research has shown that self-administered joint exercises, which participants in this trial may perform, can help with knee osteoarthritis. Studies have found that these exercises lessen knee pain and improve knee mobility. For example, participants in those studies noticed significant improvements in pain and knee flexibility. This approach also made daily activities easier. Overall, it appears promising for managing knee osteoarthritis and enhancing knee function. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Guy L Terry, MPT, PhD(c)

Principal Investigator

Texas Woman's University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with knee osteoarthritis who are looking to improve daily activity performance, knee motion, and hip strength. Participants will need to commit to physical therapy sessions and home exercises over a period of 6-8 weeks, with a follow-up after 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria

Meets National Institute for Health and care Excellence (NICE) criteria for knee osteoarthritis

I am 45 years old or older.

I experience knee pain when I move.

Exclusion Criteria

I have had a joint replacement in my leg.

I need help walking.

I have a condition like diabetes that affects my joints.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either self-administered or clinician-administered joint mobilization along with exercise over 7-8 weeks

7-8 weeks

7-11 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including a 6-month follow-up visit

6 months

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Clinician-applied Joint Mobilization
• Self-applied Joint Mobilization

Trial Overview The study tests if self-applied joint mobilization combined with exercise is as effective as clinician-applied joint mobilization plus exercise in treating knee osteoarthritis. It compares the outcomes of patients' mobility and strength between these two approaches.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Self-administered joint mobilization Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

In-clinic exercise-based physical therapy, home exercise program, and self-administered joint mobilization.

Group II: Clinician-administered joint mobilization Active Control 2 Interventions

In-clinic exercise-based physical therapy, home exercise program, and clinician-administered joint mobilization.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Texas Woman's University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

90

Recruited

5,900+

Texas Health Resources

Collaborator

Trials

16

Recruited

20,200+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12510439/

Effectiveness of the Self-Directed mHealth Exercise ... Primary outcomes were OA-specific knee pain and physical function (using the subscales pain and activities in daily living of the Knee ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1746068925000434

A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL CONTROL TRIAL Physical therapists (PTs) preferred the KT technique for knee OA rehabilitation due to its positive effects, such as increased quadriceps torque ...

3. medrxiv.org medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.19.25336135v1.full-text

Effectiveness of Mobilisation with Movement (MWM) along ... This randomized clinical trial demonstrated significant improvements in pain, knee flexion range of motion, and functional ability in patients ...

4. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-019-2841-4

The effect of mobilization with movement on pain and function ... MWM is effective in the management of patients with tennis elbow [16, 17], ankle sprains [18, 19], shoulder impingement [20] and hip OA [21].

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/215

Effects of Manual Therapy and Strengthening Exercise on ... MT is effective in reducing pain in the short term, and it has been suggested that it may be an effective technique in the management of KO [53,54]. Various ...

6. bmj.com bmj.com/content/391/bmj-2025-085242

systematic review and network meta-analysis Conclusions In patients with knee osteoarthritis, aerobic exercise is likely the most beneficial exercise modality for improving pain, function, ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10949788/

The effects of manual therapy in pain and safety of patients ... Secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale [20], follow-up data, and adverse ...

8. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e54356/

Efficacy of the mHealth-Based Exercise Intervention re.flex for ... This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a 12-week fully automated app-based exercise intervention with and without a supporting knee brace on health- ...