RecruitingNot Applicable

"Bimodal vs Unimodal High-Intensity Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis"

Mexico64 participantsStarted 2025-09-15

Plain-language summary

This randomized, double-blind clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (HI-PEMF) applied either exclusively on the knee joint or bimodally on the knee and quadriceps, in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Both groups will also receive a structured home-based exercise program. The primary outcome is pain reduction, and secondary outcomes include functional performance.

Who can participate

Age range

60 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 ≥ 60 * Clinical and radiological diagnosis of knee OA grade I-IV * Pain ≥ 3 on Numeric Analog Scale for \>6 months * Can walk (with/without aid) * Cognitive ability to follow instructions * Signed informed consent * Availability for 9 treatment sessions and home exercise Exclusion Criteria * Prior total knee arthroplasty (unilateral or bilateral) * Neurological disorders affecting motor function or cognition (e.g., Parkinson's disease, stroke, moderate to severe dementia) * Active inflammatory rheumatic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus) * Presence of pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, or metallic implants near the treatment area * Current use of other physical therapy modalities for pain (e.g., electrotherapy, ultrasound, TENS) outside the study protocol * Participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months * Current use of NSAIDs or systemic/local corticosteroids (including intra-articular injections) * Open wounds or active infections at the treatment site * Decompensated cardiac conditions or medical contraindication to exercise * Vestibular disorders that affect balance and interfere with functional assessments * Uncorrected visual impairment interfering with gait or balance (visual acuity worse than 20/60 in the better eye, assessed by Snellen chart) Withdrawal Criteria: * Participants who complete fewer than 7 out of the 9 planned intervention sessions (i.e., less than 80% adherence) * Occurrence of serious adver…

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

Change in pain intensity measured by the Numeric Analog Scale (NAS)

Timeframe: Baseline, end of intervention (week 5), and 2-month follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07198750

SponsorHospital Civil de Guadalajara

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-05

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Knee Osteoarthritis trials