Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training for Knee OA (NCT07014098) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Robot-Aided Off-Axis Neuromuscular Training for Knee OA
36 participantsStarted 2026-05-01
Plain-language summary
Although the primary knee motion occurs in flexion/extension, the frontal and transverse (off-axis) knee motions are smaller but crucial for maintaining joint stability and normal knee loading. Altered kinematics and neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions have been reported in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), which are associated with excessive knee loading and the progression of knee OA. However, traditional rehabilitative treatments for people with knee OA and existing exercise equipment often focus on sagittal plane movement. Probably due to the technical limitations, there is a lack of convenient and effective equipment/method to train patients with knee OA in off-axis (frontal and transverse) planes.
The purpose of this study is to use a robot-aided elliptical training device to measure knee neuromechanical properties and to improve neuromuscular control in off-axis knee motions, aiming for joint de-loading and pain reduction for individuals with knee OA.
Who can participate
Age range
45 Years – 85 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:
* Age 45 - 85 years.
* Meets the ACR classification criteria for knee OA (clinical + radiographic criteria); Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-III.
* Persistent knee pain ≥ 3 months.
* Able to independently complete elliptical training (6 minutes without interruption).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Other inflammatory joint diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).
* Knee trauma, surgery, or intra-articular injections within the past year.
* History of knee or hip replacement.
* Cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension contradict to exercises.
* Cognitive impairment (Montreal cognitive assessment \< 22).
* Currently participating in another interventional study for the lower limb.
* Neurological impairment (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, radicular pain).
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
Peak knee adduction moment
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after the 5-week training, and follow-up evaluation 8-week post-training
2
Knee pain
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after the 5-week training, and follow-up evaluation 8-week post-training