Perturbation Based Balance Training Versus Progressive Neuromuscular Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy for Pain Reduction and Functional Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis

June 16, 2026 updated by: Ibadat International University, Islamabad
This is an RCT aims to explore Perturbation-Based Balance Training versus Progressive Neuromuscular Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy for Pain Reduction and Functional Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

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 Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • ICT
      • Islamabad, ICT, Pakistan
        • Recruiting
        • Institute of Medical Rehabilitation (IMR)
        • 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

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Male and female, aged between 40-70 years Diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis Grades I-III based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification Chronic knee pain for ≥3 months Ability to walk independently

Exclusion Criteria:

Grade IV osteoarthritis Previous knee surgery or joint replacement Rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory joint disease Recent intra-articular injection (<6 months) Severe systemic illness, Neurological disorders and Vestibular disorders

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: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Perturbation-Based Balance Training (PBBT)
Perturbation-Based Balance Training (PBBT) Static standing with manual perturbations: Therapist gives gentle pushes at pelvis/shoulders (anterior/posterior) Double-leg stance on foam: Maintain balance on a soft surface Tandem stance: Heel-to-toe standing with minimal support Supported balance board: Controlled weight shifting Weight-shift training: Side-to-side and forward-backward shifts
Other: Perturbation-Based Balance Training
3 sessions/week 20-25 min (2 sets × 30 sec/activity) Starts with Low-Moderate (slow, predictable external perturbations) progress to Moderate-High (fast, unpredictable perturbations) 30-35 min (3 sets × 45-60 sec)
Other Names:
  • (PBBT)
Active Comparator: Progressive Neuromuscular Training (NMT)
Progressive Neuromuscular Training (NMT) Mini squats: Partial range knee flexion (0-30°) Sit-to-stand: From chair, controlled movement Double-leg stance balance: Eyes open → progress to reduced support Tandem walking: Straight line walking Heel-to-toe walking: Improves gait control Basic coordination drills: Marching in place
Other: Progressive Neuromuscular Training
3 sessions/week 20-25 min (2 sets × 10-12 reps) starts with Low-Moderate (RPE 9-11) then proceeds to Moderate (RPE 11-13)
Other Names:
  • (NMT)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain & Functional Ability
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Baseline to Week 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Functional Mobility
Time Frame: Baseline to Week 6
Functional Mobility will be measured using Time Up & Go test
Baseline to Week 6
Muscle strength
Time Frame: Baseline to week 6
Handheld Dynamometer
Baseline to week 6
Balance
Time Frame: Baseline to week 6
Functional Reach Test
Baseline to week 6

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Ibadat International University, Islamabad

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 (Estimated)

May 18, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 16, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 16, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • IIUI/RERC/ADT/2026/05/259

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

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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