A 12-Week Home-Based Electrical Stimulation Program for Strength in Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis

July 1, 2025 updated by: Rebecca Webster, Cionic, Inc.

Effects of an Electrical Stimulation Program on Strength, Functional Capacity, Pain, and Gait in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this research is to investigate if a 12-week program of stimulation assisted activities can combat disuse atrophy for individuals diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). This study will use a home-based medical device to administer electrical stimulation and measure its effect on outcomes that include quadriceps strength, perceived functional capacity, pain, and walking performance. It was hypothesized that stimulation assisted activities will show larger muscle mass and strength improvements; improved gait kinematics, pain and perceived function; and a high compliance to the assigned program compared to no stimulation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Terminated

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The study aims to evaluate the Cionic Neural Sleeve for subjects diagnosed with KOA. All participants will be assigned a Cionic Neural Sleeve to wear on the most impacted leg and be prescribed a home-based exercise and walking program. Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: (a) control; (b) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES); (c) NMES and functional electrical stimulation (FES). The control group will not receive stimulation for the exercise and walking program, whereas participants in the NMES group will receive stimulation during exercises, and participants in the NMES and FES group will receive stimulation during exercises and walking. The primary outcome measures include quadriceps strength and perceived pain. Exploratory outcome measures include adherence to the program, thigh muscle volume, functional ability of the lower limb, walking performance, perceived functional capacity, and perceived quality of life.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
6

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • California
      • San Francisco, California, United States, 94133
        • Cionic, Inc.

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

22 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Persons with knee osteoarthritis between the ages of 22 and 75
  2. Ability to walk a duration of 30 minutes per walking session (with or without an assistive device), for three days per week
  3. Able to tolerate the device for up to 1 hour per lab session
  4. No recent change in medication or exacerbation of symptoms over the last 60 days
  5. Radiographic KOA Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 or 3 or physician diagnosed mild or moderate KOA if radiographic imaging is not available
  6. No hyaluronic acid or cortisone injection into knees in previous 12 months

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Lower motor neuron disease or injury (e.g. peripheral neuropathy) that may impair response to stimulation
  2. Absent sensation in the impacted or more impacted leg
  3. Inadequate response to stimulation, as defined as inability to achieve muscle contraction or tolerate stimulation
  4. Inability to ambulate with the sleeve in place of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO)/knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) if utilized
  5. Use of FES devices in the past year
  6. Demand-type cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator
  7. Malignant tumor in the impacted or more impacted leg
  8. Existing thrombosis in the impacted or more impacted leg
  9. Fracture or dislocation in the impacted or more impacted leg that could be adversely affected by motion from stimulation
  10. History of knee replacement surgery
  11. History of other types of arthritis
  12. History of neurological disease
  13. History of seizures or diagnosed with epilepsy/seizures
  14. Current pregnancy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: Control
Device: Cionic Neural Sleeve NS-100. Participants will wear the device during the 12-week exercise and walking program. There will be no stimulation.
Other: 12-week exercise and walking program
The exercise program requires isometric quadriceps contractions in a supine position with a rolled-up towel placed behind the knee. The exercise program will be performed by participants 5 days per week for 12 weeks. The walking program will be performed 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then gradually increase walking time to 30 minutes by the end of the study. Participants will wear the device during the exercise and walking program, which may range from 1 minute to 35 minutes per day.
Experimental: NMES
Device: Cionic Neural Sleeve NS-100. Participants will wear the device during the 12-week exercise and walking program and receive stimulation assistance during the exercise sessions.
Other: 12-week exercise and walking program
The exercise program requires isometric quadriceps contractions in a supine position with a rolled-up towel placed behind the knee. The exercise program will be performed by participants 5 days per week for 12 weeks. The walking program will be performed 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then gradually increase walking time to 30 minutes by the end of the study. Participants will wear the device during the exercise and walking program, which may range from 1 minute to 35 minutes per day.
Device: NMES
Sleeve applies neuromuscular stimulation during exercises to help contract appropriate muscles at appropriate times.
Other Names:
  • External functional neuromuscular stimulator
Experimental: NMES and FES
Device: Cionic Neural Sleeve NS-100. Participants will wear the device during the 12-week exercise and walking program and receive stimulation assistance during the exercise and walking sessions.
Other: 12-week exercise and walking program
The exercise program requires isometric quadriceps contractions in a supine position with a rolled-up towel placed behind the knee. The exercise program will be performed by participants 5 days per week for 12 weeks. The walking program will be performed 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Participants will walk for 10 minutes and then gradually increase walking time to 30 minutes by the end of the study. Participants will wear the device during the exercise and walking program, which may range from 1 minute to 35 minutes per day.
Device: NMES
Sleeve applies neuromuscular stimulation during exercises to help contract appropriate muscles at appropriate times.
Other Names:
  • External functional neuromuscular stimulator
Device: FES
Sleeve applies functional electrical stimulation as patients walk to help contract appropriate muscles at appropriate times.
Other Names:
  • External functional neuromuscular stimulator

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Average Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction of the Quadriceps From Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Strength assessment of the quadriceps muscles using a handheld dynamometer, measured in Newtons. Subjects performed 3 repetitions of maximal effort, separated by two minutes of rest between each. The average of the 3 repetitions was recorded as the subjects' 1 repetition maximum. A positive change indicates increased quadriceps strength.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in Perceived Pain Scores From Baseline
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Western Ontario/McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain questionnaire to measure perceived pain, measured by score. Scores on the WOMAC pain subscale range from 0 to 20, with high scores indicative of worse pain. A positive change indicates improvement.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Perceived Functional Capacity
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
WOMAC physical function (WOMAC-PF) questionnaire to measure perceived functional capacity, measured by score. Scores on the WOMAC-PF subscale range from 0 to 68, with high scores indicative of worse functional limitations.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in Walking Performance
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Measured by gait speed via the 10-meter walk test (meters per second) and walking endurance via the 6-minute walk test (meters).
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Adherence to the Program
Time Frame: Daily
Measured by the usage log of the device or exercise diary/calendar, measured in minutes.
Daily
Change in Thigh Muscle Volume
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Measured by thigh circumference using a tape measure and prediction model to estimate muscle volume, measured in cubic centimeters.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in Functional Ability of the Lower Limb
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Measured by the Five Times Sit to Stand Test, measured in seconds.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Change in Perceived Quality of Life
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks
Short Form 36 questionnaire to measure quality of life, measured by score. Score ranges from 0 to 100, with 0 representing extreme interference, and 100 representing no interference in quality of life.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Cionic, Inc.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 27, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 7, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 7, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 1, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 10, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 13, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 3, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 1, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • CIONIC-05-001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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