University of Jaen
Agustín Aibar Almazan
To analyze the effects of therapeutic exercise combined with noninvasive neuromodulation (NESA) or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on improving clinical symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, as well as its impact on the functionality, mental health, and quality of life of people over 60 years of age with knee osteoarthritis.
Osteo Arthritis Knee
Therapeutic exercise and NESA VS. Therapeutic exercise and TENS
NA
A single-blind, randomized clinical trial with two intervention groups will be conducted. A pretest-posttest design will be used to evaluate individuals over 60 years of age. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive an 8-week therapeutic exercise program combined with noninvasive neuromodulation (NESA); and the other group will receive the same therapeutic exercise program combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 8 weeks. Variables will be measured for both groups using the same validated tools and by the same researchers to avoid information bias and differential misclassification. Assessments will be conducted at the beginning of the intervention and immediately after its completion. The results will be recorded in a database for analysis. For the independent variables, sociodemographic characteristics will be taken into account. The outcome variables will be divided by domain; pain will be assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), which measures pain intensity. To assess the symptoms and functional capacity associated with knee osteoarthritis, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) will be used. For the physical and functional assessment, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) will be used to assess functional mobility, balance, and agility. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) will be used to evaluate balance, gait, and strength/endurance. Balance and gait will also be assessed using the Tinetti Scale. Knee mobility will be measured with a mobile goniometry/inclinometer in flexion and extension. For strength, a dynamometer will be used to measure isometric strength of major knee movements. Among the psychosocial factors, catastrophizing will be measured with the PCS (Pain Catastrophizing) and kinesiophobia with the abbreviated version of the TSK-11 (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia). Fear of falling will be assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Quality of life will be measured using the Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Quality of Life (OAKHQOL) questionnaire. Sleep quality will be measured using the Pittsburgh Index. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) will be used for anxiety and depression. Autonomic regulation will be assessed using heart rate variability. All variables will be measured pre- and post-intervention. As a result, a multimodal treatment is expected to significantly improve clinical symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis, especially joint pain and stiffness. Additionally, the effectiveness of noninvasive neuromodulation (NESA) will be compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), both in combination with therapeutic exercise. It is also expected to improve functionality, mental health, quality of life, and associated psychosocial factors in people over 60 years of age with knee osteoarthritis. Once the intervention is completed, a final evaluation will be conducted, and the comparative process will determine whether there are significant differences compared to the initial results.
| Study Type : | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Estimated Enrollment : | 110 participants |
| Masking : | SINGLE |
| Primary Purpose : | TREATMENT |
| Official Title : | Multimodal Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Comparison of the Combination of Therapeutic Exercise and Noninvasive Neuromodulation (NESA) Versus Therapeutic Exercise and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Pain, Function, and Mental Health in People Over 60 Years of Age. |
| Actual Study Start Date : | 2026-01-07 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date : | 2026-01-12 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date : | 2026-04-07 |
Information not available for Arms and Intervention/treatment
| Ages Eligible for Study: | 60 Years |
| Sexes Eligible for Study: | ALL |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: |
Want to participate in this study, select a site at your convenience, send yourself email to get contact details and prescreening steps.
RECRUITING
ICOT rehabilitation centers
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain,