Chinese Tuina Therapy for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (NCT03966248) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Chinese Tuina Therapy for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
China140 participantsStarted 2019-10-19
Plain-language summary
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in clinic. It usually occurs in middle-aged people, especially women. An estimated lifetime risk for KOA is approximately 40% in men and 47% in women. KOA is a chronic disease which can lead to obvious pain, joint stiffness, limitation of activity and even disability, with significant associated costs and effects on society, health systems, and individuals. Tuina therapy has been used and showed effectiveness and safety for pain relief and disability for the patients with musculoskeletal disorders for years in China. Though it is regarded that the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Tuina therapy is similar to the modern manual therapies, the modalities of TCM tuina therapy are different and effect maybe equal to or more better than the modern manual therapy in clinic. However, little evidence exists that Tuina benefits the KOA. The investigators will do this in a randomized, parallel, active controlled study to observe whether TCM Tuina is more beneficial to KOA than the physical manual therapy, which has been considered an effective and standard care for KOA.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 75 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Diagnosis of KOA;
. Age 40-75 years;
. KL (Kellgren-Lawrence) grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ in recent 3 months;
. NRS score of pain at least more than 4 points;
. Single/bilateral knee pain, duration of more than 6 month; If the patient has KOA on both legs, the heavier leg is selected for study.
Exclusion criteria
. Surgery history of knee or waiting for surgery (knee replacement or knee arthroscopy);
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
. Knee pain caused by other diseases (such as joint bodies, severe effusion of joint cavity, infection, malignant tumors, autoimmune diseases, trauma, etc.);
. Oral administration of hormones within 3 month, intra-articular injection within 6 months, knee injuries or open injuries within 6 months, or knee arthroscopy within 1 year.
. Severe acute/chronic organic or mental diseases;
. Pregnant women, pregnant and lactating women;
. Coagulation disorders (such as hemophilia, etc.), or the skin diseases at the site of operation;
. Device support treatment after knee osteoarthritis disability;
. Participation in another clinical study in the past 3 months;