Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation Through Rotational Inertia
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Eccentric resistance training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Knee Arthritis, Osteoarthritis. Basic parameters: 40 years — 70 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Exploring the Benefits of Eccentric Training for Aging Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis
Overview
This study is testing whether a new type of exercise program, called eccentric overload training using a flywheel device, can improve stair-climbing ability in people with knee osteoarthritis. The flywheel device provides resistance throughout the entire movement and gives extra challenge during the muscle-lengthening phase of exercise. This type of training may improve muscle structure, strength, and coordination more effectively than conventional methods. The study's central idea is that better muscle quality and improved coordination will lead to smoother, safer stair movement and reduce the risk of falls. Advanced tools such as ultrasound imaging and motion analysis will be used to measure muscle health and movement patterns in detail. The hypothesis is that individuals with knee osteoarthritis have poorer muscle quality and less coordinated stair-stepping compared to healthy adults, and that performing eccentric overload training will enhance muscle quality, improve movement coordination, and make stair navigation safer and more efficient.
Interventions
- Other Eccentric resistance training
The intervention consists of an eccentric overload resistance training program using a portable flywheel exercise device (kBox). This device generates resistance through inertia, meaning that the load is created by the individual's own movement speed and the effort applied. Participants with knee osteoarthritis will train with the flywheel system for 8 weeks, completing two to three sessions each week, with each session lasting approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The program will focus on functional
Primary outcome measures
- Stair-stepping smoothness [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (12)
- Stepping smoothness symmetry index [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Muscle echogenicity [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Muscle thickness [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Muscle texture analysis (gray-level co-occurrence matrix) [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Grip strength [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Lower limb strength [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Timed stair ambulation [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Joint Position [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Joint Linear Velocity [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
- Joint Linear Acceleration [Time frame: Baseline, up to 10 weeks, up to 19 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria Osteoarthritis (OA) Group:
- Aged 40-70 years
- Radiographically confirmed knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence \[KL\] Grade 2 or 3)
- Able to walk independently (assistive devices permitted)
Inclusion Criteria Healthy Control Group:
- Aged 40-70 years
- No radiographic evidence of knee OA (KL Grade 0 or 1)
- No frequent knee pain
- No history of:
- Knee surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction, meniscectomy, patellar realignment)
- Significant knee injury (e.g., ligament tears, fractures, dislocations)
- Diagnosed knee conditions (e.g., patellofemoral pain syndrome, bursitis)
Exclusion criteria
- Uncontrolled hypertension or other cardiovascular disease
- A musculoskeletal condition preventing physical testing
- Neurological muscle weakness (e.g., stroke, spinal cord injury)
- BMI >34.9 kg/m²
- Recent hospitalization (past 3 months)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- University of Colorado, Denver — Aurora
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07424352 · 24-1836 · T32TR004367