Pregabalin Phonophoresis and MET for Knee Osteoarthritis (NCT07598474) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Pregabalin Phonophoresis and MET for Knee Osteoarthritis
Pakistan35 participantsStarted 2026-01-01
Plain-language summary
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition causing pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Many patients with advanced (Grade III) knee OA also experience neuropathic pain - burning, tingling, or electric shock sensations - which is harder to treat with standard physiotherapy. Oral pregabalin works for neuropathic pain but causes side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. This study tests whether delivering pregabalin through the skin using ultrasound (phonophoresis), combined with calf muscle stretching (Muscle Energy Technique), can reduce nerve pain and improve walking better than ultrasound alone.
Who can participate
Age range
40 Years – 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
. Diagnosed Grade III knee osteoarthritis confirmed by Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale (radiograph within past 12 months or newly obtained).
. Neuropathic pain component confirmed by DN-4 questionnaire (score ≥4).
. Age between 40 and 70 years inclusive.
. Both male and female participants.
. Unilateral or bilateral knee involvement (if bilateral, the more symptomatic knee selected for assessment and treatment).
. Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
. Available to attend 4 sessions per week for 4 consecutive weeks (total 16 sessions).
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.
1This trial is specifically looking at something called a 'neuropathic pain component' in knee osteoarthritis — does my knee pain actually have a neuropathic element, and would that make me a better or worse candidate for what's being tested here?
2The trial uses 'phonophoresis' to deliver a drug called pregabalin through the skin using ultrasound — how does that differ from taking pregabalin as a pill, and are there any risks specific to this delivery method I should know about?
3This study is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's an early or device-based study rather than a standard drug trial — what does that mean for how much is already known about the safety and effectiveness of this approach?
4The trial also involves something called MET (Manual Energy Technique) alongside the pregabalin phonophoresis — can you explain what MET involves and whether combining these two approaches is something that's been done before, or is this trial testing that combination for the first time?
5Before considering this trial, are there standard treatments for my knee osteoarthritis pain — including neuropathic components — that I haven't yet tried, and would it make more sense to explore those first?
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 Neuropathic Pain Component
Timeframe: Baseline (week 0, pre-intervention) and Week 4 (post-intervention, after 16 sessions)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07598474
SponsorUniversity of Faisalabad
Sponsor typeOTHER
Study typeINTERVENTIONAL
Primary completion2026-07-19
Contact for this trial
Dr. Muhammad Muneeb Jafar, Doctor of Physical Therapy