Examining the Effect of Neuromuscular Exercises on Movement Control in Hip & Knee Osteoarthritis:… (NCT06963892) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Examining the Effect of Neuromuscular Exercises on Movement Control in Hip & Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomised Proof of Concept and Feasibility Study
United Kingdom90 participantsStarted 2023-07-18
Plain-language summary
This completed study evaluated the effects of a six-week neuromuscular exercise programme on movement control in individuals with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). The trial also assessed the feasibility of conducting a future definitive randomised controlled trial.
A total of 90 participants with symptomatic hip or knee OA were recruited from NHS outpatient physiotherapy clinics and cluster-randomised to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received a structured neuromuscular exercise programme based on the GLA:D® approach, delivered once weekly for six weeks. The control group received usual care, including general physiotherapy advice and standard exercises.
The primary outcome was change in movement control, assessed using the Short Hip and Lower Limb Movement Screen (Short-HLLMS) at baseline and six weeks. Secondary outcomes included joint-specific function measured by KOOS-12 and HOOS-12 questionnaires, and pain intensity assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). Feasibility measures included recruitment rate, participant adherence, and study retention.
The study was completed successfully and demonstrated that neuromuscular exercise may improve short-term movement control and functional outcomes in individuals with OA. Feasibility outcomes supported the acceptability of the intervention and the procedures for conducting a future large-scale trial.
Who can participate
Age range
30 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:
* Adults aged 30 years or older.
* Clinically diagnosed symptomatic hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (unilateral or bilateral).
* Meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria for osteoarthritis.
* Able to safely participate in neuromuscular exercises and movement screening tests.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Acute septic arthritis.
* Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
* Avascular necrosis of the hip or knee.
* Recent steroid injections (within the past 3 months).
* Knee or hip surgery within the previous 12 months.
* Significant cardiorespiratory or systemic disorders limiting exercise participation.
* Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis).
* Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m².
* Severe low back pain restricting activity.
* Cognitive impairment affecting ability to follow study instructions.
* Skin conditions affecting lower limbs, preventing safe participation in exercises.
* Inability to communicate effectively in English or understand the consent information.
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 movement control measured by the Short Hip and Lower Limb Movement Screen (Short-HLLMS)
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks (post-intervention)