Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis (MLKOA)

June 22, 2020 updated by: Wondrasch, St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Motor Learning in Knee Osteoarthritis Therapy - A New Rehabilitation Approach

Non-surgical treatment options, like exercise therapy, show excellent short-term effects regarding pain reduction and improvement of knee function. However, mid- and long-term effects are missing so far. This might indicate that long-lasting changes in motor-skill performance (Motor Learning) have not occurred. Motor learning is associated with permanent changes in the capability for skilled movement behavior avoiding unfavorable joint loads and inappropriate muscle activation patterns, leading to compensatory movement strategies. One-sided and high repetitive loads in the knee joint could be one reason for the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Physiotherapeutic strategies should therefore be able to stimulate motor learning processes. In physiotherapy, motor learning can be optimized by using instructions and feedback, targeting an external focus of attention, when learning specific movement patterns. This study investigates the effects of a 12 week exercise therapy program, using an external focus of attention, on functional and biomechanical parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis. To measure possible changes, functional measurements are taking place at baseline, after 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The biomechanical measurements (3D gait analysis) are taking place at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

50

Phase

  • 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 Locations

  • Austria
    • Lower Austria
      • Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria, Austria, 3100
        • Recruiting
        • Sankt Pölten University of Applied Sciences
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

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

Ages Eligible for Study

45 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Kellgren-Lawrence-Score 1-3
  • BMI < 33
  • Free range of motion in the knee joint

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Activated knee osteoarthritis
  • Lower extremity surgery in the past 6 weeks
  • Intake or injection of corticosteroids in the past 3 month
  • Long-term medication non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Neurological diseases
  • Drug or alcohol abuse

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: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: External focus of attention training program
The intervention group receives a strength and neuromuscular training program. The training instructions have an external focus of attention.
Other: External Focus Of Attention
Instructions and feedback are used to direct the learner's focus to an external source (e.g. the effect the intended movement has) promoting long-term learning by stimulating automatic cognitive control processes.
Active Comparator: Internal focus of attention training program
The control group receives a strength and neuromuscular training program. The training instructions have an internal focus of attention.
Other: Internal Focus Of Attention
In contrast, adopting an internal focus of attention (e.g. focus on specific body areal) can disrupt automatic control processes and interfere automatic movement.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Knee Adduction Moment (change over a period of 6 month with 3 measurement dates)
Time Frame: Baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
3D gait analysis during walking
Baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (change over a period of 6 month with 4 measurement dates)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Questionnaire; Minimum value: 0 (highest limitation), Maximum: 100 (no limitation)
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Star Excursion Balance Test (change over a period of 6 month with 4 measurement dates)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
An established test to determine movement control and balance ability. The test person stands on one leg and will is asked to stretch the non supporting leg as far as possible in the directions presented.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Isometric strength tests (change over a period of 6 month with 4 measurement dates)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Measures the isometric force of the knee extensors, knee flexors, hip abductors, hip extensors and hip external rotators with a portable dynamometer
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
Six minute walking test (change over a period of 6 month with 4 measurement dates)
Time Frame: Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks
The six minute walking test is a reliable measuring tool to examine the distance a person can walk in a given time period.
Baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences

Collaborators

Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences
Danube University Krems
Orthopedic Hospital Speising

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)

November 1, 2018

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

February 28, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

April 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 9, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 22, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

June 24, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 24, 2020

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 22, 2020

Last Verified

June 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • StPoltenUAS

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

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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