Gender Based Comparison of the Effects of Sensory Modulated Graded Weight Bearing Physiotherapy In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis (GSMGWBP)

August 19, 2026 updated by: Fouzia Batool, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University
This comparative experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy (SMGWBP) in patients with knee osteoarthritis and compare treatment outcomes between male and female participants. Participants will receive a 6-week physiotherapy program with assessments conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (3 weeks), and post-intervention (6 weeks) using validated outcome measures.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder associated with pain, impaired physical function, reduced proprioception, decreased mobility, and poor quality of life. Physiotherapy plays a central role in the conservative management of KOA by reducing pain and improving functional performance. Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy (SMGWBP) integrates sensory stimulation with progressive weight-bearing exercises to enhance neuromuscular control, balance, proprioception, and functional recovery.

This comparative experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SMGWBP in individuals with Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III knee osteoarthritis and to compare treatment outcomes between male and female participants. A total of 52 participants will be recruited through purposive sampling. All participants will receive a standardized 6-week physiotherapy program consisting of three supervised sessions per week.

Outcome assessments will be performed at three time points: baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (3 weeks), and post-intervention (6 weeks). The primary and secondary outcome measures include pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), physical function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), proprioception using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test, gait performance using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), health-related quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and treatment compliance. The study will examine changes in these outcomes over time and compare the effectiveness of the intervention between male and female participants.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

52

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 Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Gujar Khan, Punjab Province, Pakistan
        • Recruiting
        • T.H.Q hospital
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Sadia Akhtar, DPT

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

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants are eligible for inclusion if they meet the following criteria:
  • Age between 40 and 60 years.
  • Diagnosed with Grade II or Grade III Knee Osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence Classification.
  • Ability to ambulate independently without assistive devices.
  • Mild to moderate pain intensity with a Visual Analogue Scale score less than seven.
  • Ability to understand and follow instructions.
  • Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria
  • Participants are excluded if they meet any of the following criteria:
  • History of knee surgery within the previous six months.
  • Neurological disorders affecting balance, gait, or proprioception.
  • Severe cardiovascular disease limiting participation in exercise.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritic conditions.
  • Severe cognitive impairment.
  • Any medical condition that contraindicates participation in rehabilitation exercises.

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: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Arm 1 - Arm Title: Male Participants
Twenty-six male participants with knee osteoarthritis will receive the Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy Programme for six weeks, with three supervised sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6.
Behavioral: Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
A structured six-week Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy Programme consisting of three supervised sessions per week (18 sessions total). Each session includes warm-up, sensory modulation, proprioceptive training, graded weight-bearing strengthening, functional mobility exercises, and cool-down activities. The programme progresses through three phases: Weeks 1-2 focus on sensory activation and proprioceptive training; Weeks 3-4 on graded weight-bearing strengthening; and Weeks 5-6 on functional weight-bearing integration. Exercises are progressed according to participant tolerance, pain severity, and functional performance. Both male and female groups receive the same intervention.
Experimental: Arm 2 - Arm Title: Female Participants
Twenty-six female participants with knee osteoarthritis will receive the Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy Programme for six weeks, with three supervised sessions per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6.
Behavioral: Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
A structured six-week Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy Programme consisting of three supervised sessions per week (18 sessions total). Each session includes warm-up, sensory modulation, proprioceptive training, graded weight-bearing strengthening, functional mobility exercises, and cool-down activities. The programme progresses through three phases: Weeks 1-2 focus on sensory activation and proprioceptive training; Weeks 3-4 on graded weight-bearing strengthening; and Weeks 5-6 on functional weight-bearing integration. Exercises are progressed according to participant tolerance, pain severity, and functional performance. Both male and female groups receive the same intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Visual Analog Scale
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
To evaluate the change in pain intensity following a 6-week Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight Bearing Physiotherapy program in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
Change in Physical Function Measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
To assess changes in physical function following Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy.
Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
Change in Proprioception Measured by the Joint Position Sense (JPS) Test
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
To assess changes in knee joint proprioception following Sensory Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
Change in Gait Performance Measured by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
To assess changes in gait performance following Sensory Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life Measured by the Short Form-36 (SF-36)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
To assess changes in health-related quality of life following Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6
Treatment Compliance
Time Frame: At the end of the 6 week intervention
To assess participants adherence to the prescribed 6-week Sensory Modulated Graded Weight Bearing Physiotherapy program. Treatment compliance determine based on the percentage of complete supervised treatment session
At the end of the 6 week intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University

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)

July 13, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 24, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

September 23, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

August 17, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 19, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

August 25, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 25, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 19, 2026

Last Verified

August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 189-26

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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